#this school knows how to teach therapeutics and NOTHING else

[coolcoelacanth]

the feminine anxiety to think about studying for your exam that you don't care about on monday versus the feminine urge to play stardew valley for 12 hours straight

[fmhiphop]

The World Of Rhys Kelly: Eye Sculptures And Jewelry Beyond Imagination

What artist is tearing up the art scene and sparking inspiration left and right? None other than the sensational sculptural artist and custom jewelry designer Rhys Kelly! With an unstoppable passion for the boundless creativity that lies within the eyes, Rhys Kelly's art is a vibrant tribute to individuals' unique perspectives. And guess what else? FMHipHop got an exclusive opportunity to chat with this extraordinary artist and jewelry maestro about her remarkable journey. The insights and stories she shared with us are inspiring. Early Childhood Curiosity: Rhys' Fascination With Eyeballs Since she was a kid, Rhys has been conjuring up all sorts of inventions and creations. You know what's even cooler? Her family has always been there, cheering her on and encouraging her to embrace her passions. "In lower school I used to doodle eyeballs onto my classwork and thought nothing of it," Rhys said. "It's funny how life unfolds over time!" Rhys is living proof that when you nurture a child's creativity, the possibilities become endless! Carefully applying paint to those little orbs is an oasis for her overthinking mind. It's a therapeutic experience that takes her to a whole new level of Zen. But how did Rhys develop such an unusual passion? It all started when she was just a kid. Even at a young age, her curiosity about eyeballs was unparalleled. She couldn't help but be fascinated by those mesmerizing windows to the soul. They held a mysterious allure that drew her in, and she couldn't look away. Fast forward to Kelly's time at art trade school. The excitement that bubbled inside her when she discovered a course on creating prosthetic eyeballs for character and creature design was like a dream come true! And boy, did she fall head over heels for the whole process! Special FX Trade School: A Transformative Experience Rhys is a jewelry designer who's not afraid to think outside the box, and I mean way outside. We're talking hyper-personalized artistic vision here! This talented designer didn't just stop at creating beautiful pieces; she turned her passion into a thriving business faster than you can say, "bling bling." But how did she make it happen? It all began at a Special FX trade school in Pennsylvania. Yep! Rhys decided to take her skills to the next level by immersing herself in prosthetic eyeballs and sculptures. Talk about unconventional! However, that's not all she learned there. This trade school was like a treasure trove of knowledge, teaching her about the different materials she could work with. And she's got quite a collection now. "My go-to materials are always acrylic paint, different forms of resin, and clay for sculptural pieces," Rhys said. Choosing The Right Materials: Executing The Vision Curious minds...I can practically see those wheels turning in your heads, itching to uncover the mysterious creative process of Rhys. How does she transform her wild imagination into real masterpieces? And does she adhere to a specific approach or method? Well..... "My creative process normally begins with a thought or idea that pops into my mind, and then I draw it on paper to get the vision out of my head. Once the idea is on paper, I then think about what materials I will use to execute it into real life." Now, when it comes to honing your craft, it's no walk in the park. But that's not the only hurdle you'll face! Take Rhys, for instance. The biggest mountain she's had to climb? Assembling a team of like-minded individuals to collaborate with. Her art sets her soul on fire, and gosh, does she struggle with delegating tasks to others. But fortunately, she's not giving up! Oh no, she's taking charge and tackling this obstacle head-on. How, you ask? By scouting for talented folks to bring on board! Will she find the perfect team? That's the million-dollar question, my friends! But one thing's for sure: Rhys is determined to make it happen! Spreading Love And Light Picture yourself strolling into a room and spotting one of Rhys' eyeball sculptures perched on a shelf. Bam! It catches your attention like a dazzling shooting star streaking across the night sky. But we all know that when it comes to visual stuff, people have their own unique tastes, right? Some love it, some hate it, and some are just plain confused. But here's the real question: How does Rhys want you to feel when you look at her creations? "I want my art to inspire people to embrace each other's perspectives, reminding them to spread love and light into the world." Such a positive retort! Rhys' Favorite Art Piece: The Drippy Eye Stand People have their own unique opinions when it comes to visuals. But wouldn't you like to know what Rhys' favorite piece is among all those extraordinary eyeball sculptures and jewelry she's created? I mean, come on, with so many fabulous creations, there has to be one that really stands out for her. "So far, my favorite art piece is the Drippy Eye Stand," Kelly responded. "To me, it's unique because the eye is customized to a specific person's eye color, I've never seen anything like it before, and I can duplicate it with many different color variations in the future, so it's super exciting!" Absolutely! I mean, who wouldn't be blown away by the sheer awesomeness of sharpening your skills to transform a natural art form into a multitude of stunning variations? It's like unlocking a whole new level of artistic wizardry! Plus, can you imagine the progress you'll make as an artist by embracing this practice? It's a surefire recipe for unleashing your true creative potential. Going Beyond The Ordinary Rhys aims to do just that through her work – touch the hearts of countless individuals and ignite a spark of inspiration within them. Why settle for the ordinary when you can dream big and make those dreams a reality? She wants to convey this message loud and clear, shouting from the rooftops that anything is possible! In addition, she understands that to make a difference truly, we need more than just big ideas. We need open minds, hearts filled with love, and an unwavering commitment to calmness and understanding. These guiding forces can lead us to become better versions of ourselves. In the near future, Rhys Kelly gazes into the horizon and envisions a magnificent transformation in her work. "I want to explore the art gallery world and create more refined, polished, and high-end art pieces that will live on for years to come. I plan to experiment with many different sculpting and painting techniques." Responding To Negative Reactions: Approaching With Love, Peace, And Understanding Imagine a world filled with positive vibes, where everyone's dreams and aspirations float like colorful balloons. It's a delightful sight. But amidst all this positivity, there are those pesky negative folks who can't seem to hop on the happy train. Has Rhys, the amazing creator behind all these positive visions and affirmations, ever encountered any adversity or faced criticism for her extraordinary work? And if she has, how on earth does she handle it? "I feel like anyone who gets a little attention for anything is always going to have some people who dislike what they're doing," she said. "Luckily, I haven't had much criticism or bad reactions throughout my growing art career. If I were to receive bad reactions, I'd just address it with love, peace, and understanding." Her personality oozes maturity and self-control! Connecting With Prominent Figures: How Rhys' PR Team Works Rhys has some cool stuff to offer! You can rock her notable works as a funky necklace or a stylish ring, and they range in price from $100 to $200. But if you're looking for something on a grander scale, you can even go for one of her stunning installations, which range from $500 to a whopping $8,000. Talk about making a statement! As for her star-studded clientele, we're talking about big names like Busy Phillips, Olivia Rodrigo, and David Dobrik, to name a few. You might be wondering, "How on earth did she manage to work with such famous celebrities?" She's got a secret weapon - her fantastic PR team!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by RHYS KELLY ✫彡 (@rhyskellyofficial)   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by RHYS KELLY ✫彡 (@rhyskellyofficial) Rhys has connected with these prominent figures thanks to her amazing PR team. They handle all the celebrity communications, ensuring her artwork gets into the hands of these famous people. So, next time you see one of Rhys' fabulous pieces on a celebrity, remember that there's a team behind the scenes making it happen. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be able to wear one of her stunning creations yourself, feeling like a superstar! The Power Of Advice In Creative Journeys Our creative journeys can be changed by advice. Aspiring sculptural artists bursting with passion have a burning desire to explore those unique and out-of-the-box themes in their magnificent creations. Fortunately, Rhys Kelly, seasoned sculptor extraordinaire, has a wealth of advice just for you! Trust me; this is the kind of wisdom you won't want to miss out on. "My advice would be to go for it and not think about it too much! The more you think about it, the longer it'll take to complete... so just draw out your idea and get the materials you need to execute it :) " To purchase some of Rhys Kelly's unique creations, visit her website here. Unveiling The Tale: The Origins Of Slick Rick's Unique Eye Patch Now that we've delved into the fascinating world of Rhys Kelly's remarkable eye sculptures and jewelry, let's plunge into the world of celebrities who've sported the one-eye look throughout their lives and careers. As time passed, fans couldn't help but notice the ever-evolving eye patch donned by rap legend Slick Rick. Strutting down countless red carpets, effortlessly coordinating his eye patch with his jaw-dropping outfits. That's what I call fashion forward! But what's the tale behind his unique eye patch? When Slick Rick was just an infant, tragedy struck. A shard of glass from a shattered window found its way into his innocent eye, robbing him of his sight forever. Heartbreaking, isn't it? This tidbit comes straight from trusted sources at Black Doctor. Curiously, Slick Rick doesn't often broach the topic. However, once upon a time, he shared his remarkable journey in a captivating 2012 interview with Red Bull Music Academy. In his own words, he revealed, "I used to wear like a contact lens, anything that camouflaged the eyes, cuz you know, the eyes is kind of messed up, you know," he said at the time. "Gradually I just started wearing, I was wearing Ray-Bans for a while. Then after a while, I just said, 'I’m just gonna wear the patch.' And then the patch seems to have caught on," he added. "So, I just stuck with the patch. Sometimes I wear the glasses, but you know, most people prefer the patch." Who knew a broken window could shape a legendary artist's style? The mysteries of life never cease to amaze! The Book That Changed Everything: A Moment Of Accidental Chaos Are you aware of why Romeo from the R&B group Immature wore that eye patch? It wasn't just for being mysteriously sexy! The surprising truth emerged during a fateful interview on Power 106 FM Nick Cannon Mornings in November 2020. The singer spills the beans and reveals that R&B sensation Brandy Norwood was responsible for his eye patch. According to Romeo, Brandy and former Immature group member, Half Pint, got into a heated argument. And in the heat of the moment, Brandy clutched a book in her hand. Little did she know calamity was coming! In a random act of fate, she flung the book back without care, unaware of anyone standing nearby. But what happened next was straight out of a wild movie script. That unsuspecting toss of the book hit Romeo devastatingly, cutting his retina but also detaching it, causing the lens in his eye to take an unexpected dive. And guess who comes to the rescue? Brandon Adams, the actor known for his role in the hit TV show Moesha, caught his flying lens!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Romeo, Batman & LDB (@immatureofficial) Can you believe that a simple argument could lead to such unexpected eye-popping drama? Life truly surprises us when we least expect it! The Spotlight On Ruger: A Nigerian Singer With A Flair For The Dramatic Let's dive into the fascinating story of Ruger, the Nigerian singer with a flair for the dramatic! Imagine this: The spotlight is shining on the incredible artist known as Ruger, or as I like to call him, Michael Adebayo. But what's the deal with that eye patch he always rocks? It's not just a style statement; it's a symbol that tells a powerful tale. During an interview in January with the fabulous Nancy Isime, Ruger shed some light on the story behind his eye patch. Someone in his life has faced adversity head-on, losing an eye but refuses to let it hinder their progress. This individual pushed forward against all odds, becoming even stronger in the process. And you know what? Ruger wanted to honor this person by adopting their courageous spirit and wearing that eye patch as a constant reminder of their resilience. Additionally, Ruger, the mastermind behind his brand identity, explained that the eye patch also represents his connection to snipers. But how? Well, Ruger himself focuses on their targets with incredible attention to detail. And you know what they do? They close one eye to get laser-sharp aim. It's like Ruger is channeling their prowess and bringing it into his own artistic journey.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Notjustok.com (@notjustok) Oh, and did I mention his name? Ruger. Just saying it gives off a bold vibe. But it's also the name of a gun! Ruger's identity is intertwined with the powerful image of a firearm, further fueling his unique persona. Nikiya Biggs conducted the interview. Written by Nikiya Biggs | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Follow and like FMHipHop on Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube! Read the full article

[lunaverseimagine]

Escape

Prompt:  I’ve had a rough day and honestly all I want right now is a drink and someone to cuddle with from @masterofthedarkness‘ 300 follower writing challenge! Congratulations again Val, I hope you like it <3

Pairing: Sirius Black x Reader

Summary: You’re having a bad day and your crush seems to notice

Warnings: Mention of injury (not your own), mention of alcohol

Word count: 2k

A/n: So I had a complete brain flop writing this and forgot that Snape was not, in fact, teaching potions in the Marauders era. However, I’ve written the fic now and don’t have the energy to change it, so consider this an AU of sorts? (Putting in bold bc I keep getting comments about it)

Fic:

It started the moment you woke up. You couldn’t explain why but all you wanted to do was crawl back into bed, wrap the duvet round you, and hide from the world. It was as though your energy had been sucked out of you, leaving a shell that felt too heavy. And yet you were a good student, you couldn’t stand missing lessons, plus you didn’t want anyone worrying about you. Which is why, in spite of your body’s groaning protests, you heaved yourself out of your dorm and down to the Great Hall for breakfast. 

Your friends were talking animatedly around you, occasionally trying to get you to join in the conversation, but all you offered in response were weak smiles and one word replies. As a last resort your best fried Beth tried bringing up your crush, Sirius. The topic normally excited you, but today it was just a reminder that nothing would happen between you, and you became even more withdrawn. Luckily your friends understood - you wanted to be near them but weren’t up to their early morning gossip - so they stayed with you but didn’t try to get you to speak anymore.

As always, halfway through your meal the owls swooped into the hall, bringing newspapers, letters, and the occasional parcel. Mild surprise filled you at the sight of your own family’s owl Lolly settling in front of you. You stroked her head before gently untying the small, crumpled letter attached to her leg, and she nipped your finger affectionately. Your parents didn’t send you letters very often, and you were stumped as to what could be written inside. You took a deep breath. Only one way to find out.

Unfolding the parchment carefully revealed your mum’s scrawled handwriting. Odd. Normally your dad would write the letters; he found it calming to sit with his parchment and special quill after a long day as an auror, pondering his words for a while to make his messages as concise as possible. He said the process was therapeutic. But when you read the words inside it made sense, and you felt your stomach drop.

“Y/n, I’m sorry to tell you like this, but I thought you should know. Dad was injured at work. The healers say it’s treatable but he’ll be in St Mungo’s for a while. Hope school is going ok. Love Mum xx”

Swallowing your tears down, you let the letter fall from your hands and settle on the table. You forced your eyes to look up, away from the words, and you could’ve sworn you caught Sirius watching you from across the hall. As soon as you’d thought it, he’d already turned back to his friends, and you shook your head at yourself. So desperate that you were imagining interactions with your crush. Pathetic. You lay your hand in Lolly’s warm fur, focussing on how soft she felt between your fingers, trying to push the rest of your thoughts to the back of your mind. Breaking down in the middle of the Great Hall was the last thing you wanted to do.

Your lessons did nothing to help your mood. In transfiguration you were supposed to be turning rats into clocks. By the end of the class most students had done it perfectly, but your clock had a tail instead of an hour hand, and instead of ticking it squeaked with every passing second. You felt so deflated, the only thought that kept you going was getting back to your dorm at the end of the day and hiding in your bed. Maybe finding some firewhiskey too to dull the aching you felt when your thoughts drifted to your dad in a hospital bed. In fact, what you really wanted, the one thing that might bring you peace, was to have someone hold you. Not just someone. Sirius. But you knew as well as anyone that he wouldn’t be interested in the likes of you. You couldn’t event transfigure a rat, you’d never be good enough.

You had mixed feelings as you made your way to your last lesson of the day. After this you were free for the evening, but first you had to endure an hour of Snape’s teaching, and his judgement of you. Potions was your worst subject and Snape made a point of noticing every little thing you did wrong. Begrudgingly you approached the dungeons, the echo of your footsteps was all that filled the empty corridors. Most of the time Hogwarts felt familiar, but in times like these it felt cold and unforgiving, emphasising the loneliness that was building in your chest. Wait- why was no one else in the corridors? With a jolt you realised that you’d spent so long lost in your thoughts between lessons that you were late. Your steps sped into a run, and when you finally burst through the door to Snape’s dungeon, he stopped mid sentence to scowl at you. Everyone else turned towards you too, so many pairs of eyes drilling into you. You willed the stone floor to swallow you whole.

“I will not tolerate students showing up late to my class.” You gulped, trying to suppress your heavy-breathing as you awaited your punishment. “I’d have thought you of all people would want to be present for the whole lesson. Then you might finally brew a decent potion. Alas…” he trailed off, a thoughtful expression on his face. You felt your cheeks burn, your head hung low. “Detention. After class you will scrub everyone’s cauldrons clean. No magic allowed.” It was all you could do to nod. You felt so defeated as you stood at the table beside Beth that you almost didn’t notice the small explosion a few tables behind you. You whipped your head around, and- no, you definitely weren’t imagining it this time- Sirius winked at you as Snape stalked between the desks towards the commotion. He glared down at Sirius.

“Looks like Y/L/N won’t be alone in detention.” He sneered, and weaved his way to the front of the class without another word. Your jaw was slack and Beth nudged you with her elbow. 

“He did that on purpose!” She whisper-yelled. Your jaw was slack, not quite sure if you believed her.

“Well- well maybe it was an accident? Or he did it for fun?” Your excuses were weak even to your own ears. But why would he want to be in detention with you?

Seconds stretched into minutes as you willed the time away. Thankfully Beth was good at potions so she did most of the work, telling you which ingredients to chop and when to add them to the cauldron. Snape still found things to fault but you just tuned his voice out, feeling like you were watching the scene through a window instead of being in it yourself.

Eventually the class was dismissed, and Beth gave you a sympathetic smile and mouthed “good luck” as she left the room. When it was just you, Sirius and Snape left, he held a hand out to each of you.

“Wands.” Reluctantly you and Sirius both placed your wands in his hands, not quite meeting his eye as you did so. “I want the equipment spotless.” With that he left the room. Despite feeling as bad as you did, you couldn’t help your heartbeat quickening at the thought of being alone with Sirius.

Avoiding his eye, you crossed the room to the cupboard full of cleaning supplies, dirty cauldrons being the only thing that stood in the way of you and the relative peace of your dorm. You felt his gaze on the back of your head.

“What?” You kept your focus on the cupboard, rummaging through the supplies to find what you needed.

“Are you ok?” After a moment, you turned to face him, throwing a sponge which he caught effortlessly, without breaking eye-contact.

“I’ve been better.” You didn’t elaborate, instead getting to work scrubbing the grime off the cauldron closest to you. Sirius abandoned his sponge, coming to stand on the opposite side of your table, watching your determined face as you tried to get one particularly tough spot of dragon-bogey off the side of the cauldron. He found himself admiring the way you furrowed your brows as you concentrated, the way your tongue poked out slightly from between your lips. Those lips. You, on the other hand, were thinking about how it would take double the time to clean if Sirius didn’t do his half. Subconsciously you squeezed your sponge tighter until your knuckles turned white.

“I bet I could make you feel better.” You huffed. Sure you had feelings for Sirius, but he could still be infuriating.

“I bet you could.”

His eyes twinkled, surprised that you’d joined in with his flirting. “Oh yeah, how’s that?” His hopes were soon shattered as you replied.

“By helping me clean so we can leave this bloody dungeon.” Sirius was taken aback. You never normally snapped at people, and he was just trying to be nice. Godric, he’d got himself a detention just so you wouldn’t be alone.

“You know what? Fine.” He stormed back over to his sponge and started cleaning the cauldron furthest away from you. The two of you scrubbed in silence for a while, making decent progress on the cauldrons, but you felt guilt creeping in at the way you’d treated him. The guilt, the tiredness, the worry about your dad, all of it swirled through your thoughts in a perpetual loop until you couldn’t help it anymore. You let out a small sob, trying your best to be quiet, but in the otherwise silent room Sirius heard it perfectly. He abandoned his cauldron, rushing over to embrace you in a hug, rubbing soothing circles on your back. He had no clue what to say, but the silence didn’t bother you. It gave you a chance to work through your feelings. 

After a while you pulled away, wiping at your eyes with the sleeve of your robes. “Oh Merlin, I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for darling.” He rested his hand on your arm for a moment, waiting to see if you wanted to say anything else. When you just smiled, he returned the smile, before going back to cleaning the cauldrons. This time the silence that filled the room was comfortable, both of you lost in thought. Finally, arms aching, the two of you finished your last cauldrons, and Sirius went to Snape’s office to collect your wands. You sat on the floor outside the classroom waiting for him, picking at a loose thread on your robe. When Sirius returned he handed you your wand, and slid down the wall so he was sitting next to you. You rested your head on his shoulder, whispering into the corridor.

“Thank you.” 

Sirius wrapped an arm round your shoulders. “What for?”

“I know you got that detention on purpose. Just- thank you for being there.”

“Not a problem darling.” His fingers traced tender circles on your shoulder, and you felt yourself melting in to him. Being so close to him you thought you’d be nervous, but instead you felt peaceful. Safe. 

Sirius broke the silence. “What’s going on?” It was almost a whisper, as though he wasn’t sure whether he should’ve asked, but he couldn’t bear the thought of you suffering on your own. He needed you to know that he was there to listen.

“It’s just- it’s a bit of everything, y’know? I’ve had a rough day and honestly all I want right now is a drink and someone to cuddle with.” You laughed at how stupid that sounded, but Sirius took your hand, lacing your fingers through his.

“I’ve got some firewhisky in my room?” It came out as a question.

You turned so you were face-to-face.

“And the cuddles?”

“I’m sure I’ve got some of those to spare too.” He lifted your hand to his lips, placing a kiss on each knuckle in turn. You closed your eyes, savouring the sensation. Then he stood up, helping you off the floor after him, and your hands stayed connected the whole walk back to his common room.

End

A/N: I hope you liked it (regardless of the Snape/Sirius timeline error oopsies)! If you did feel free to give feedback or check out my other stuff, and also give Val (@masterofthedarkness) a follow if you haven’t already! <3

[fishmongeringstudies]

twenty one: i keep waking up in rooms i don't recognize and then realizing that i am still dreaming. my therapist says this is a symptom of a dislocated knee. i have not gone running since march. everyone that i know is lying to me

when i was a kid my parents used to take us to the same restaurant for brunch every sunday. it was on the first floor of a shopping mall which had big panes of glass stitched together for a ceiling and consequently let in far more natural light than your average building, but the restaurant itself was dark. moody. the walls were black and so was all the upholstery. the coffee mugs the waitresses served you coffee in were so dark you couldn't tell how full they were unless you looked extra hard at them, which i rarely did. in most memories of this place i'm seven or eight and i only drink two things: lemon tea and milk. so i'm sitting there with my frosted plastic cup of lemon tea, methodically stirring in my syrup with a skinny metal spoon because they make their lemon tea from scratch here which means no sugar and lots of tea, and my parents are drinking from their big adult mugs, and my sister's picking apart the roasted tomato on my dad's plate, and life, well. life is simple. good.

i can't remember when we stopped going there but i know that by the time i was nine and traipsing around in the hallways of the chinese primary school my parents had transferred me to, it had closed down and been replaced with some other restaurant whose name and shape i can't recall. well before i turned sixteen that entire wing of the first floor was demolished and replaced with the monstrosity that is singapore's flagship muji store. the muji's still there today. it's got a retail area and a few showrooms showcasing lifestyle choices for the upper-middle class citizen and a cafe with a dining area marked out by eclectic hanging decor that looks like a hundred little wastepaper baskets made from twine tied together to form a spotty mural of sorts. i'm fond of the cafe. their desserts are on the expensive side but they're thoughtfully made and look pretty in pictures, prettier in person.

your childhood years are one of those things that gets shinier the further away you stand from it, like how a bad experience becomes bittersweet by necessity if you give it long enough or you'll be stuck carrying that baggage with you forever. looking back, for example, on spring, i am inclined to see the educational takeaways instead of the moments in which my brain shut off and was replaced with a vat of screaming kittens. in this way we propel ourselves forward with the wisdom of the past, scrounged together from moments of pain and deep embarrassment. in this way we find ways to stay alive.

this summer i have wound up in upperclassmen housing by some unfortunate trick of fate. my apartment suite has five bedrooms but only four of them are occupied; i live in the room at the end of the hallway. my flatmates live in the next three. it has been five days since i moved in and i am convinced all of them think that they are living with a cryptid constructed in the scp containment breach format and unsure how to let them know that they are correct without making it personal. last night i woke up after a brief period of dreaming to use the bathroom; while washing my hands in the sink one of my flatmates walked past in the hallway behind me. 'hey, it's you,' she said. 'i feel like i haven't seen you forever. i mean. i've seen you, but i haven't seen seen you, you feel me?' asleep on my feet and ready to crash facefirst into bed, i nodded. 'yes.' she stood there for a few seconds as if expecting me to say more, but i had a vending machine for a brain at the moment and couldn't find it in me to press any more buttons. i certainly could've tried. but i was tired.

when i got on campus in february i resolved to sign up for therapy sessions with the school's mental health services since i was paying an ungodly amount for 'health insurance' (not a thing in singapore, really; not necessary in most places except america, really) anyway and i might as well make use of some small part of the astronomical sum that had been deposited in the pockets of some old white people i would likely never meet in my life. i got as far as filling out the form embedded in the school website and opening the automated email i received a few days later asking me to list my free times each week. i forgot about the rest. we are therefore entering the summer of my twentieth year without a goddamn clue what the inside of my head looks like apart from the fact that it must be pretty cool in there. it has to be cool. if it isn't cool what's the point of holding onto any of it anyway? we live for the spice of life. like garlic powder. cumin. oyster sauce.

this morning i went to target to look for sugar. the dining hall here doesn't do any of its vegetables justice but their desserts are to die for, and i've found myself suffering from a mild withdrawal since i started scrambling eggs and boiling about five hundred grams of cauliflower a day for the sheer therapeutic effect of it and because i don't really know any better. the target near campus is located in a shopping mall and surrounded by miles of parking space on both ends. while walking back across that stretch of empty parking space, i came across a smear of orange on the pavement. it was an orange. or it had been. the rind had been ground into the gravely surface of the road by a repetitive smoothing action so that it looked less like a bit of roadkill and more like it had been there all along. i can't stop thinking about that orange. who the fuck drops an orange in the middle of a road? why didn't they pick it up?

i have been cursed with an idea. it came to me last night before i fell asleep and it has been sitting on my shoulder since then like the devil in the popular angel-and-devil writing device which all nine year olds are taught by their teachers in chinese class, whispering to me about how great things will be if i can teach myself the fundamentals of sound design in three days. unfortunately it is when one decides to start a war that they are forced to confront their contacts list and the vast, untraceable geography of its contents. i cannot tell you if anything will result from this. but i hope that it will.

back when i still talked to her i mentioned the idea of doing puzzles to soothe the mind once and she took to it with so much genuine enthusiasm (she was always enthusiastic. too enthusiastic. enthusiasm was the problem, and the lack of willingness to curtail it the thing that eventually nailed the coffin shut) that i went to target the next weekend and bought a set of four puzzles depicting various scenes from old disney films. over the last two weeks i have done each puzzle three times, save for the last one, in which mickey and minnie mouse waltz down a red carpet and the people on the sidelines cheer for them with champagne moustaches and glittering beads for eyes. i cannot decide if this is meaningful. i cannot see the point of summer. but i am trying.

i don't remember the name of that sunday brunch restaurant. i don't remember the names of a lot of places our parents brought us when we were children, but my sister has been on a nostalgia trip since april and sends me screenshots of old pc games we used to play together from time to time. ernie's adventures in space. timmy's sea adventures. barbie island princess. i open each image and feel something inside of me physically ache in response. it appears that despite my best efforts, i will never be seven years old again.

i'm not a huge fan of lemon tea anymore. i prefer water. how it cleanses the palate like a vacuum cleaner sucking up all the dust and grime in a musty room. it's hard to distinguish between the inside and the outside of a thing when both are the color of a blood-red sunset but we try our best, you know? we draw lines on the sidewalk with chalk and we say 'here is my side of the universe and here is yours'. we act diplomatic when inside we are drunk and slurring our words all over the bartender's white vest. and then, because there is nothing else to do on this planet, we keep on living.

06.10.21

[mythgirlimagines]

The latest in a line of therapeutic robotic assistants, here is the latest in her lineage, in the circuits and metal herself: MY-3, the Former Ultimate Robot!

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BACKSTORY AND TALENT 

MY-3 (nicknamed “Mythie”, and eventually “Myth) was the third and most recent creation created by a pair of robotic engineering geniuses. MY-3 was created to  become a therapeutic robot, with her adorable appearance, personality, and voice, that makes her a massive success with both children, and even many adults, who find MY-3’s various adorable qualities to be calming and soothing. Many functions, such as a built-in oven, and a built-in musical speaker and TV, can offer different coping mechanisms, for all sorts of patients. All of those qualities resulted in a massive recovery success rate at the mental treatment facility that she currently works at, when not attending Hope’s Peak and learning more about humans and their behaviors. There otherwise isn’t that much backstory on MY-3, for she was only created about 3 or 4 years ago. Myth is currently working in Ward #137, helping Anons recover mentally from anxiety attacks and/or assorted mental trauma, and this story would center on Myth helping these Anons through their mental pain and trauma. 

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RELATIONSHIPS

Wyre Anon, Former Ultimate Entomologist

Wyre’s parents and Myth’s parents have been scientific business partners for a long time, and regularly collaborate on many projects together, namely studying bugs, in order to figure out how their robotic bugs are supposed to move. Despite Wyre’s rough demeanor and equally as dirty and gritty talent, Myth can’t deny that Wyre was only the bestest friend that she could ever ask for. As long as Wyre’s insects didn’t make their way into her circuits, Myth always found the various insects Wyre brings over to her fascinating. But for now, many of the now-fragile patients would rather not witness their much-cherished insect companions, much to the entomologist’s anger and dismay.

Outfit: A tan safari outfit with a red tie and an off-white pith helmet, off-white socks and brown shoes, regularly carries a butterfly net, the glasses from their original design.

Anon Scar, Ultimate Aikido Master 

Growing up with severe emotional and self-esteem issues, Scar’s parents sent her off to a temple and had an old master teach her all about using aikido (or the Art of the Demons, as the old master called it) to maintain emotional control. Scar’s skill in aikido gave her both something to be proud of and something to control her overflowing emotions. Unfortunately, her old master eventually passed away, and she more-or-less regressed into her old pre-aikido behavior. MY-3‘s tranquil presence and reassuring words regularly calmed the aikido master down, during her emotional highs, and allowed her true maternal side to show, especially when it came to teaching younger Anons about aikido.

Outfit: Hair in a ponytail held by a purple bow, a black coat slung over her shoulders like a cape over a white robe with purple hakama pants, bandaged arms, white ankle socks.

Fusion Anon, Ultimate Pianist

Revered by many classical music enthusiasts for being a piano-playing prodigy ever since he was a little boy, no one can deny that Fusion is both passionate in playing the piano and composing his own piano music. Unfortunately, the stress that came from being a musical wunderkind and his strict and overbearing parents repeatedly entering him in contests and forcing him to practice endlessly, in order to win prize money, caused Fusion to suffer a mental breakdown on stage, and, in humiliation and shame, ran away to never play on stage again. Fusion loves to teach those willing to learn about music, but Myth couldn’t help but detect pain hidden by that cheery and food-stuffed grin.

Outfit: A blue jacket with golden music note shaped buttons and black and white stripes on the sleeves, over a red hoodie, black and white fingerless gloves, yellow and blue headphones around his neck, glasses, pants, and shoes from his original design.

Fusion II, Ultimate Detective

Born to a police commissioner father and a criminal prosecutor mother, Fusion II always wanted to pursue a career in justice, and managed to get her wish, when she became a prodigy detective in her preteen years. Unfortunately, in her first major murder case (which she managed to solve in under a day), when she managed to expose the culprit, the insane and enraged culprit pulled out a knife and gouged one of Fusion II’s eyes out, which gave her severe trauma, and encouraged her to never pursue another murder case again. While Fusion II‘s knowledge on memes helps educate MY-3 on human internet culture, it’s clear to MY-3 that her sarcasm and meme references are hiding some severe past pain.

Outfit: A black and blue fedora, a black eyepatch that hides her gouged-out eye, a blue trench coat over a white button up shirt and a red necktie, black gloves, a black and blue skirt, long white socks and black heeled boots.

Just Anon, Ultimate Tennis Pro

Similar to Fusion, Janon is a prodigy that is well-renowned by both his adoring fans from his highly-prestigious private boarding school and tennis enthusiasts everywhere. Being raised to uphold his family’s legacy, ever since he was a toddler, Janon wants nothing more than to leave his family and actually get a chance to relax between etiquette lessons and constant tennis matches that come with autograph sessions. Janon’s cramped schedules eventually lead to burn-out and mental roadblock, earning him a spot in the ward. MY-3‘s overly affectionate attitude definitely rubbed the athlete the wrong way, and would much rather either take a long nap or dote on the Jr. Ultimates.

Outfit: The bunny hoodie and mask from his original design over a pink and blue tennis uniform.

Sparkle Anon, Former Ultimate Supreme Leader

With a love for the histrionics and a 30-person group at her fingertips, Sparkle doesn’t seem to like divulging into the specifics of her talent, for all she was willing to reveal about her organisation was that it, “SEEKS TO MAKE SHINING DIAMONDS OUT OF INSIGNIFICANT LUMPS OF COAL“. Ever since this theatrical self-proclaimed dictator arrived at the ward, she’s been trying to get people to join her group. Not even MY-3 seems to know what Sparkle is even doing at this ward, for she wasn’t scheduled for this (or any, for that matter) wards at the psychological ward. But that doesn’t mean MY-3 wouldn’t try to crack the rhinestone-covered enigma that is Supreme Leader Sparkle.

Outfit: A pink sparkly captain’s cap, hair in a sideplait, a blue suit and matching pants, a rainbow colored necktie, the cape and boots from her original design, always carries her sceptre.

Egg Anon, Former Ultimate Cosplayer/Assassin, and Wet Sock Anon, Former Ultimate Magician

The genius combination of the twin’s talents, with Wet Sock‘s brilliant magic shows and Egg’s ability to disguise themselves and blend in with the crowd, allows Egg’s true talent to shine and Egg to shank their targets from the shadows. They also regularly pull the classic “twin switch” in both their operations and their prison escapes, and nobody could even tell the difference. It’s very clear that their parentless and tragic lives on the streets took a toll on their psyche, and once the cops found the twins, they hauled them over to the ward and left them in the care of the therapists and MY-3. Egg and Wet Sock always love to mess with MY-3 and her functions, but they’re secretly thankful for her help.

Both Outfits: Standard stage magician tuxedo, cape, and hat.

Curious Anon, Jr. Ultimate Inventor

Born and raised in a war-torn territory and underneath a cruel and exploitative government, upon finding out their gift in mechanics and coming up with plans, Curious was raised to be both an inventor and a test subject for said inventions, and Curious, being the passive soul that they are, never stood up against the cruel government that they lived under, even after the constant experiments gave them both physical and mental scars. Eventually, after the war ceased, somebody found Curious, and hauled them off to the psych ward. Curious’s kind and passive nature made them really great friend with the equally kind robot, but MY-3 knew that no one can handle what was thrown at the inventor, without consequences.

Outfit: Sickly green skin with stitches and scars all over their body and bolts in their neck, an off-white jumpsuit with black and yellow gloves, and matching boots and goggles, long messy hair.

Anon Nerd, Former Ultimate Butler

In order to step above all of the other more desirable kids residing in the orphanage alongside him, young Nerd quickly practiced crafts of cleanliness and order (namely cooking and cleaning living spaces). Eventually, those skills managed to get him picked up by a family that only uses him as a personal butler (and occasional bodyguard, why else would a butler carry around a volatile scouter, and a temper twice as large?), and never as their actual child. Eventually, after shouldering their abuse into his adult years, Nerd snapped and set fire to the mansion with his scouter, earning him a spot in the ward’s roster. MY-3 considers Nerd to be one of the tougher cookies to crack, due to his temper.

Outfit: Literally the exact same outfit but with gloves and longer coattails.

Eldritch Anon, Ultimate Artist

Desperately yearning for the “sheep” of the world to ”wake up”, Eldritch channels his pessimistic and paranoid mindset into traditional art (never digital, he doesn’t want to contribute to the robot uprising), and wants everyone who views his artwork (detailing apocalyptic settings and themes of distrust, misanthropy, and all the secretly-disgusting citizens of the world) to frown and spread scowls and distrust amongst the general population. Concerned about his paranoia, Eldritch’s parents sent him off to the ward, to many protests from the tiny artist. Eldritch hates MY-3‘s metallic guts, and always tries to destroy her, before she becomes the leader of the machine uprising.

Outfit: A paint splattered version of his hoodie over a black shirt with a creepy white face design on the front, brown overalls, and yellow and black rainboots.

Dream Anon, Ultimate Anthropologist

Expressing a love of humanity and the varied cultures of them, Dream travels all over the world with grit and determination to learn more about this particular interest of hers. Despite coming off to others as a ditzy jock, Dream is actually a respected figure in the field of anthropology and her anthropology journals are well-known by all in the field. Unfortunately, the reckless anthropologist stumbled into uncharted territory, one day, and got attacked by the territorial natives. It took her several days before her fellow explorers found her again, but the damage has already been done, both physically and mentally. Dream likes to claim she’s fine, but MY-3’s lie detector can see right through Dream.

Outfit: Hair that looks awkwardly lobbed off and scars all across her face and body, a pink cardigan over a tan button-up shirt, a dark brown skirt, black leggings, dark brown Uggs, the sidebag from her original design.

Iris Anon, Jr. Ultimate Adventurer

Not wanted to stay confided in a stuffy orphanage forever, Iris packed a simple backpack, and set off on a world tour, to see all of the fascinating and exotic things that the world has to offer. Despite being a preteen (and a really clumsy one, at that), the sheer reach that Iris had in her travels and her contagious optimism, she has garnered fame all over the world, and gave her the title of Ultimate Adventurer. Iris loves going to hospitals and psych wards and tell stories about her travels, and Ward #137 is definitely no exception. MY-3 loves learning about humans from around the world, but considering Iris’s past, MY-3 can’t help but feel like part of Iris’s optimism is all a facade.

Outfit: Hair cut to her shoulders, a brown leather parka with off-white fluff over a blue tanktop, bright pink pants and glow-in-the-dark sneakers, bandages all over her body, the glasses from her original design.

Purple Anon, Ultimate Astronaut

Raised by two influential pioneers of the scientific industry, Purple showed a promising career as an astronaut, for both her massive knowledge in astronomy and cosmology for someone of her age, and her oddly sturdy body that can take on the hideous vacuum of space, makes her the prime candidate for becoming astronaut. Unfortunately, despite aceing the astronaut exams, various technical difficulties with the spacecraft that she boarded ended up causing both the spacecraft and Purple’s hopes and dreams to crash and burn. Purple’s heavily scientific terms don’t detour the kindly robot from befriending the timid and solemn astronaut, or helping said astronaut to cope with depression and survivor’s guilt.

Outfit: Some hair held up in a small sidetail with a star hairclip, a black overcoat with white star-shaped buttons over a purple sweater, a black skirt with small white dots on them, grey stockings and black Mary Janes.

Getting things out of the way, this non-Kibo-Con AU is far more angsty and hurt-comfort, compared to the standard talentswap AU, for just about everybody has trauma of varying degrees. ——————————————————-

PERSONALITY

Despite her relatively seasoned (read: 4 years old) AI, MY-3 still shows a childlike fascination for humans and how different they are from her, and the eyes on her screen simply sparkle, when she learns more and more about the inner machinations of the very people that created her. Because she is supposed to be a therapeutic robot, MY-3 is determined to use whatever functions she can, to get her patients to open up to her, and finding the root of their problems. So far, MY-3’s therapy was shown to have positive results for just about every client that she interacted with, which proves that she has empathy and understanding of humans way beyond any other robot of her time period, including MY-1 and MY-2.

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APPEARANCE

MY-3 has a screen for a face that has different emoticons for different emotions, and a pink and white chassis. MY-3 has brown synthetic hairs dyed purple at the ends and an ahoge that functions much like a satellite dish. Instead of hands and arms, MY-3 has extendable arms with pink oven mitts on the end of them. As for clothes, MY-3 wears simple blue overalls and a bi pride bandana around her neck, with purple and blue rain boots on her feet.

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I’m sorry for all the trauma and angst I put on you, but I hope you like this AU! I’d love to hear what you think about this AU!

-Fusion Anon

[lilnasxvevo]

Okay this is your masterpost for your basic don’t-know-nothing about different kinds of stuff you can make with yarn and thread and fabric and stuff--the snooty name for this is “the textile arts.”

I am making this post because I see a lot of people who confuse different kinds of stuff or just don’t know what they are and sometimes people get embarrassed that they don’t know and I don’t want anyone to be embarrassed. Home Ec classes got cut from the high school curriculum decades and decades ago so for young people today, unless you have a parent or grandparent who knows this stuff and has the time and desire to teach you about it, how the hell are you going to know this stuff?

Plus, I am hoping that maybe people will think one of these things looks cool and they will pick up a new hobby. Most of these things are super therapeutic in their own ways and they’re fun and I want more people to discover them. ALL of these things are going to have 80000 tutorials on YouTube and various places on the internet if you want to teach yourself, or if you’re having trouble then look for a yarn shop in your area (or even a weaver’s guild if you live somewhere weird like Minneapolis) and see if they offer a class in what you’re interested in or just see if anyone there would be willing to help you--sometimes yarn stores have a designated day where you can come in and ask for help on something you’re stuck on, because yarn people are nice like that.

First off, the basics, the ones you hear about the most often:

KNITTING

This is a thing where you use yarn to make stuff like scarves, hats, and mittens. It has TWO long needles and it looks like this:

It’s often confused with crochet but while they’re used for a lot of the same things, they’re not the same thing!

If you want to know how the mechanics of knitting works and how passing a bunch of loops back and forth on two sticks eventually makes a scarf, you can watch this video to get an idea of what it looks like and how it’s done. 

CROCHET

Crochet has only one tool called a crochet hook and crocheting looks like this:

Crochet is usually used for things that are more decorative or complex and basically for things that have holes in them on purpose. A lot of blankets made from yarn are going to be crocheted but this isn’t always the case. If you see toys and dolls made out of yarn, they’re almost always going to be crocheted. 

Knitting and crocheting have different strengths and weaknesses and things they’re good at making or less good at making. People usually bring up crocheting a pair of socks as something that you could do, theoretically, but those socks would be an absolute nightmare because of the texture of crochet

Here’s a video showing what crocheting looks like and how it’s done.

SEWING

This is the one where someone else already made the fabric (whew!) and you’re just attaching two pieces to each other. If your sibling rips their favorite sweater or a button falls off, sewing is the skill you would use to fix it. There’s hand-sewing and there’s machine sewing.

Hand sewing looks like this:

Super cheap, all you need is that sharp little needle and some thread and then whatever you’re sewing. This method is better for fixing tears and buttons that fell off or working on small areas--making something big like a dress is going to be dreadfully time-consuming with hand-sewing and you’re going to want to practice a lot first until you can make small and even stitches for something that big. I am not great at sewing, I can basically only fix tears and buttons and I can sew in a straight line and that’s it. Making clothing with sewing looks like a lot of math and I’m not about that, but maybe it’s easier than I think, idk.

Then we got yer basic sewing machine.

I am gonna be honest I’m a little scared of sewing machines but I think that’s just a me thing. Lots of people use them. If you’re interested in learning how to sew but you don’t have a sewing machine, it’s possible (maybe not probable) that a local public library has sewing machines you can use.

I think I am running out of room for photos to attach so I’m gonna end this segment for now.

[s13e06]

The Start of Something

Draco Malfoy / Female Reader

Harry Potter AU

Summary: Hogwarts Professor AU in which you are Scorpius’ favorite professor and you happen to meet his father, Draco Malfoy, out and about one day...

Warnings: mentions of passing

Words: 3.1K

Pt 2, Pt 3, Pt 4

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Chapter 1

“So, do any of you know the answer to this question?” you asked while pointing your hand towards the board. Your class of fifth years only stared back at you with dumbfounded looks as they listened to your lecture. As you scanned your eyes over the room you found that most of them were desperately trying to avoid your gaze. You smiled at this, although they’d been at Hogwarts for all these years they were still just a bunch of goofy kids; uninterested in schoolwork.

Just as you were about to answer the question yourself a timid hand raised into the air. You instantly recognized the student who so bravely volunteered to answer.

His name was Scorpius Malfoy ad he was by far your favorite student. Unlike a lot of them, he always listened intently to your lectures. He took notes fluidly and participated well in class. Although it was clear to you that the other students didn’t seem to like him all that much. You assumed it was most likely due to who his father is and the famous stories around him that everyone knew. Poor Scorpius didn’t deserve the ridicule he got and as a result of that, you found yourself mentally favoring him even more.

“Yes, Mr. Malfoy?” you acknowledged him with a gentle smile.

“I believe the answer is that there is no way to kill a Boggart. You can only banish them really, professor” he replied a little shyly.

“Excellent! You’re exactly right. Ten points to Slytherin” you exclaimed proudly.

Scorpius beamed at your response as a few of the other Slytherins seemed to thank him quietly.

By the time class had ended you felt particularly drained. You hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before and although today’s class itself had gone well, you were exhausted none the less.

A lot of pressure came with teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. You knew that the position itself was considered to be “cursed” and because of that they never held a professor for too long. However, this was already your third year and going strong. Nothing could shake you. You were at the top of your game.

Just as you were organizing your things to leave and head to the great hall a little knock sounded from the doorway.  You turned slowly a little confused as to who it could be; usually, students seeking after class tutoring would just barge in with sighs and whines. Their informalities always amused you.

But when you turned to the doorway you saw no other than Scorpius Malfoy standing there looking a little awkward.

“Oh, hello Mr. Malfoy. What can I help you with?” you asked with a friendly smile.

“Ah, well you see professor... I just wanted to thank you” he said returning the smile.

His words threw you off a bit as you gave him a questioning look.

“What possibly for?” you laughed.

“F-for giving me a chance since day one. A lot of students… a lot of people really. They treat me different because of who my father is and what he has done in the past. What the Malfoy family has done… They always compare me to him in ways that are good and bad. They think I don’t hear the whispers in the halls or the see the curious stares they give me in class. I hate it… all the unnecessary attention. You were the first person to really treat me equally. To see me simply as Scorpius Malfoy. Not Scorpius Malfoy, the Draco Malfoy’s son.” He told you with a little sigh of relief at the end of his sentence.

You listened to his words with curiosity as you studied his body language. He was being so sincere at this moment. You couldn’t describe the sense of joy that washed over you as you realized that something as simple as teaching a class as you normally would… made all the difference for this boy.

Of course like anyone else you had heard all the stories, seen the headlines in the paper, and heard the adults whispering all about it. “Seems like that wretched Malfoy boy is getting off with a slap on the wrist” or “I always knew that family was no good. The whole lot of them should be thrown in Azkaban if you ask me”. By the time you had started your first year at Hogwarts, it had been two years since the infamous battle. So naturally, you hadn’t met any of the people that everyone loved to whisper about. Therefore you felt like it was unfair to believe everything you heard… and the thought never even occurred to you to hold the children of these people accountable. They weren’t even alive when it happened.

“Scorpius, you are by far one of the brightest and most interesting students I’ve met since teaching here. Your family name shouldn’t define who you are beyond your placement on my rollcall. Anyone who can’t see that clearly has nothing better to do with their time than spread ridiculous drama” You told him with a reassuring smile.

“Thank you, Professor” he returned your smile.

He seemed to be about to leave when the urge to address something overcame you.

“I know that it’s not really my business… and you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t feel comfortable” you started with an uneasy glance towards the boy. But he simply looked back at you awaiting your explanation.

“I know that things at home changed recently… and I’ve heard the whispers the other students have thrown around about you. I’m sure you have too and I just want to make sure that you’re ok. That you’re not letting them get to you too much about it.” You said a little anxiously.

“Are you referring to my mother passing?” he asked you as he leaned his body against a nearby desk seemingly to relax a little.

“I uh I am. I’m sorry if that’s crossing a line I’m sure it must be a sensitive subject” you hastily replied.

Scorpius only gave out a small chuckle before looking towards the ceiling of your classroom and giving a little sigh.

“Don’t worry, Professor. Enough time has passed now that I can handle discussing it. Not that many people want to do more than throw me a pitiful glance” he said a little spitefully.

You frowned at his tone, sincerely hoping that he didn’t think you were trying to make him feel helpless.

“I don’t want you to think that I’m pitying you, Scorpius. I can see that you’re a strong and educated young man. But I do know that even the toughest people can be torn down by the loss of someone close to them. We all deal with grief and move on from it in different ways. I just feared that the way people treat you is doing little good for you.” You spoke tentatively.

Scorpius turned to face you then. He studied you for a moment before his face twisted into an expression you’d never seen before. It was sadness.

“I won’t lie to you… it hasn’t been easy. I think that right after she passed was definitely the hardest. To have to come back to school to all the whispers and glances. I hated it. Things haven’t been the same since. Not really… not here ad not at home. But I know that mom wouldn’t want me to mope around. She was strong… and… and so I am” he breathed out confidently. “I appreciate your concern for how I’ve handled it… but honestly, the best thing you or anyone could do for me is to just treat me for me. Not for who I’ve lost and where I’ve come from… and so far professor you’ve done just that. So, thank you”

You felt a tightening in your chest as emotions overcame you. This boy has endured so much and yet all he asks is that everyone treats him without bias. It was honorable far beyond his years. But just as you were about to reply he interrupted you.

“I better be going. Albus is waiting for me in the great hall. I’ll see you later, Professor” he bid you goodbye with a smile as he shuffled out the door.

Staring at the empty space where the boy once stood you let a smile grow on your face. What a great kid.

-

The holidays were always the best times for you and your students. It meant a break from the busy school life and a chance to relax at home. But mostly for you, it meant a chance to catch up on everything you needed to do, and as you popped in and out of the shops on Diagon Alley that’s just what you were up to.

You desperately had to restock on some classroom supplies and the holidays were the perfect opportunity to get out and check off your list.

As you left Amanuensis Quills and headed back onto the street you gave your arms a little content sway as you walked. There was something oddly calming about shopping alone. It was almost therapeutic to just go about your business alone while watching all the witches and wizards around you laugh and scramble.

You didn’t want to head back just yet though, you were much too content with just walking around. With that decision in mind, you figured you’d just pop into Obscurus Books and peruse around a little. They always had something interesting to find there.

Making your way towards the shop you found that it was surprisingly busy for this time of day. There were so many people going up and down the streets it would have surely made you annoyed if you’d been in any hurry. Instead, you found it was nice to simply be a part of the massive crowd.

Stumbling along to your next destination.

Just as you were about to reach the front of Obscurus your shoulder collided harshly with the person beside you. You were in a slight daze before so it was safe to assume you veered into him without much thought. He was taller and much steadier than you and as a result, you stumbled back a little at the impact.

“I’m terribly sorry, sir” you apologized without even looking up to face the man; feeling a little embarrassed from the collision.

“Oh! Professor Y/L/N” spoke a voice from in front of you.

You knew that voice.

Raising your head up from its previous fixated stare on the ground you found yourself looking at none other than Scorpius Malfoy.

But he wasn’t alone.

No, standing directly beside him was the man you’d bumped into and as you looked at him you quickly realized who it was.

This was Draco Malfoy; famous wizard and father to your student Scorpius.

Suddenly you felt much more awkward than before.

What a first impression you thought to yourself.

“Hello, Mr. Malfoy” you spoke politely while giving the boy a warm smile. “a-and you must be his father. It’s a pleasure to meet you” you stammered out while extending your hand to the older Malfoy.

He gave you a quick once over before taking his hand in yours for a firm shake.

“Ah, of course, Ms. Y/L/N. Scorpius has told me much about you. The pleasure is all mine.” He spoke smoothly with a smile that caused your nerves to falter.

You hadn’t really noticed upon first glance but Draco Malfoy was quite handsome still considering his age. The last time you had seen him in the papers would have been at least fifteen years ago.

“Oh, well, I don’t know what he’s told you but I’m sure it’s more than I deserve” you laughed a little too lightheartedly as you looked at the stunning man before you.  “Your son is by far one of the best students we have at Hogwarts right now. He is an absolute delight and I’m grateful to be his professor. You should be very proud of him”.

Scorpius seemed to grow visibly embarrassed by your words as he shuffled his feet. Draco, however, seemed to take your comment to heart as a warm smile spread across his face. He looked from his son back to you as he delighted in your comment.

“Well, I’d love to stay and chat some more but unfortunately we have some places to be after this” Draco told you with a calm voice. The way he spoke was so polite and reassuring… and yet you couldn’t shake the feeling that he was trying to get away from you.

“No worries. Of course, carry on. I’m so sorry to have distracted you” you apologized with a gesture of your hand towards the shop door.

Draco simply gave you a nod before turning to enter the shop as Scorpius followed closely behind. Just as they were about to completely disappear into the shop Scorpius popped his head back out a bit.

“Goodbye, Professor. It was nice seeing you” he said before ducking back inside.

Completely abandoning your previous plans to enter the book shop you continued to make your way down the busy street instead. Mentally replaying the encounter you just had. The more you thought about it the more you wanted to slap yourself for being so obviously star-struck with your own student’s father. It was ridiculous and unprofessional. It doesn’t matter how handsome and devilishly charming he seemed to be. It just wasn’t appropriate you decided.

If you ever saw the older Malfoy man again you’d be sure to compose yourself.

Definitely

-

Just before the end of the holiday break, you found yourself walking willfully into the Leaky Cauldron. You’re not sure what it was but the strangest urge to just relax into the background with a good fire whiskey in hand.

As you settled into a chair near one of the darker corners of the pub you couldn’t help but partake in a little people watching. You could easily admit that it was one of your favorite pass times. People were the most interesting when they think no one is watching them.

Your eyes shifted across the pub as you studied each patron. One woman in the corner opposite to you was fiercely arguing with the man in front of her who looked quite guilty. You’d love to know the drama behind that one.

Another man sat at a table in the middle of the pub was calmly writing something onto a piece of parchment. You really wondered what it could be about seeing as the entire page was nearly full.

Then as your eyes were about to drift on to another unsuspecting individual the doors to the pub opened as a man walked through.

But not just any man. No, of course not. It was Draco Malfoy.

You were in utter disbelief as you watched him stride slowly through the dimly lit establishment. It wasn’t just the fact that this would seemingly be the last place you’d expect to see Draco Malfoy but also the fact that you just so happened to be the professor for his son. The coincidence of this situation was uncanny.

You silently hoped that he wouldn’t notice you; given your inability to stay composed in front of him before.

But alas, you never did have the best luck.

You watched anxiously as his eyes met with yours. He seemed to be momentarily shocked as he analyzed your sitting form. You weren’t sure what he was thinking but he seemed to come to some kind of mental decision as he made his way over to you.

Unsure of where to look you shifted your gaze from down to your glass as he drew closer.

“Fancy seeing you here, Ms. Y/L/N” Draco spoke warmly in front of you.

You gave him a meek smile as you greeted him with a timid hello.

You gestured your hand to the seat across from you inviting him to sit.

“Please, join me.” You offered with the most confident smile you could muster.

“Don’t mind if I do. I suppose I’m long overdue for a decent chat” he chuckled.

“What brings you in here?” you asked him with a curious stare.

“Ah, I suppose it is rather odd-looking right?” he questioned playfully.

“N-no, it’s not that you don’t belong here… just that you were the last person I was expecting to see walk through that door” you defended yourself with a nervous string of words.

“Don’t worry, love. I take no offense. Really I just had the strangest urge to get away for a while. To sit somewhere quiet and just blend into the scenery. These days I don’t get recognized as much. A lot of the stories surrounding me are dying out with the newer generations anyway.” He shrugged a little as he talked.

“Well, I wouldn’t say you’re completely forgotten.” You replied hoping that your well-intended words were being received that way.

A short silence followed as he simply hummed in response to your remark.

“So” he began while leaning back against his chair “What’s it like teaching at Hogwarts?”

You blinked at the question slightly surprised he was taking interest in you at all.

“Well it’s a lot different from life as a student there” you chuckled “My school days were so boring though… I actually quite like teaching there. Every year a new group of interesting young witches and wizards I’ve never met arrive… and I have the pleasure of getting to know them”

Draco grinned as he listened to you speak.

“What year did you attend Hogwarts if you don’t mind me asking?” he questioned.

“Ah, my first year was 2000. So I wasn’t really around for any of the… well… you know” you trailed off a little unsure if it was appropriate to discuss such matters with someone who’d been directly involved.

“I see… Well, consider yourself lucky, Ms. Y/L/N. It wasn’t exactly a joyous time.” He said with a sort of forced smile.

You assumed he was trying to make you feel less awkward.

“You can call me Y/N if you’d like. Being referred to by my sir name makes me feel like I’m working” you laughed lightly.

“Alright then, Y/N. You can call me Draco” he replied.

“Okay, Draco” you spoke teasingly.

You watched as he smiled back at you in response.

There was a kind of flirtatious change in the air as too many giggles and smiles came from the two of you. It may seem like harmless fun between two consenting adults. But deep down you knew this wasn’t right.

This was the father of one of your students… and not to mention he was recently widowed only a few years back. It wouldn’t be right to expect anything more than casual friendship from him.

After all, he was just being polite.

----

Author’s Note: Hello! I’m so sorry I haven’t posted in forever. I had so much going on with me personally it was hard to find the free time... and when I did I had a serious case of writer’s block. Although I have another unfinished series I couldn’t stop myself from starting this one. I already have it all planned out and I hope you guys like it!

[jaalsgoosby]

Blog Post #1

Alright so I figure no one in the world that matters is really going to see this, and this platform gives me just enough to feel like I’m not writing in a void. I’m trying to find new things? I kind of write in a diary, and I like to make it a little part of my personality, but it’s really a once a month thing at best. I want to know what I like. Would you consider it reckless to use the internet as a therapist? Or better, the website you used in middle school religiously? This is a bit trippy. Anyways, that’s not really my intention. I would say any form of writing is therapeutic, but I’m still not sure how to define what I want out of this. It is, it can just be new thing. This is a bit irrational, but such is my impetus. I just started a new job, and I know they’re going to do this staff spotlight where they ask me my interests. I think we all have a script from the get-go of for the stuff we do (the hobbies we like to say that make us seem interesting and cultured) (or maybe that’s just me). I’m probably going to say painting, drawing, and writing. A cool fact about me is that I started a non-profit in high school or maybe that I have a cool owl collection (not weird, they’re like multi-cultural sculptures.) Don’t I sound so put-together? The list has been running through my brain like crazy. This is the first thing I’ve written for myself in quite a while, and I can’t remember the last time I painted or drew something that I actually enjoyed. All of my hobbies have become tortures of perfection. So, I hardly do them. Thus, I’ve tried to backtrack how I actually spend my hours. Maybe, I’m trying to give myself the opportunity to define myself differently, maybe I am constrained by what I have loved. So-- I do my schoolwork (as quickly as possible), I scroll through social media (not exciting), I zone out on the couch  (my least and favorite), and then I believe, there are the extraneous things that make the day worth it. Cleaning, a good shower, a solid meal, working out, lighting a candle, laundry, a cute outfit, make-up, getting coffee, going for a walk. Should I be looking to identify myself by my everyday? That is what feels the most like me. Drifting from one thing to the next, building for the long run. More than anything, I’m thinking. I used to have this character in my head- Elspeth Willoway. If I was ever bored or uninterested, I’d just tune in to where I was in her story. I’m not sure where along the line I stopped, perhaps when I tried writing it all down. Finally putting all my little scenarios into words drowned out the love, the potential I always felt for Elspeth. Now I’m here, in college, and I’m trying to figure out how to feel that level of interest, focus, attention, passion, for much anything. That’s probably what this tumblr thing is, trying to give myself a hobby. Is that all it takes? Is it so simple? I give myself a hobby, I find within myself a passion, and maybe this day-to-day is not quite so dull? I wonder if this is a possibility for me. Whether I have some chemical imbalance that prevents me from feeling to the same extent that I used to. It’s a pretty substantiated concern. I call it dronification. The point where adults commit to the nine to five, come home, take a nap, wake up for dinner, and go to sleep. There was little besides. I’m there, I see the beginnings. Obviously, I’m looking for remedies, while having this absurd impulse to let it come. It’s not so bad, I’ll finish college, make money, I’ll find a man, travel for a bit, pop a baby, travel some more, go to farmers markets (?). Am I condemned? Is this the path of least resistance? Am I so ungrateful? This is an unattainable dream for so many. I am ungrateful, there is nothing forcing me into this. I’ve just seen a life, and I fear it. I’m scared it will be unhappy, and unfulfilling. Truthfully, those are the only two things I want. I often imagine myself on crazy escapades. I’ve bought a van and I’m on the road with my lover and a golden retriever. I’m working as the manager at a Hawaiian resort, spending my days and nights breathing in the tropics. I’m teaching English in a foreign country, giving my students their widest breadths of opportunity. Each variably different, but with this underlying impulse to be free and good. Some moments, I’m angry that I have to wait. I wonder If I’m wrong, if I’ve been given the wrong advice. But then I remind myself, I have spent my life trying to be here, going somewhere else will not fix this.  I’ve already exhausted myself writing, perhaps this isn’t the answer, but I’ll come back to it. Maybe it will take a couple tries. I won’t come full-circle and mention the things I began with. There’s a bit of freedom in that, willingly making something not as good as it could be. 

[yourfavgoodgirl]

ok my posts are really inconsistent because i only come on here when i’m really really lonely, ie. today. anyways i decided to do the july tc challenge because i just can’t seem to get over this dumb loser.

1. describe your tc’s physical appearance.

- tall

- handsome as hell

- his body is really nice esp for his age. i usually like skinny emo boys but like damn.

- kinda beard thing that isn’t big enough to be a beard. so incredibly hideous.

- hands that look soft but there’s some veins also. i wanna kiss them.

2. what was the first thing you’ve ever said to your tc?

idkkkk i wasn’t interested in the first few months. i don’t even remember my first impression of him which makes me kinda sad :/

3. is your tc single or taken? or are you unsure? and are you single or taken?

pretty sure he’s single. i’m like so single it’s impossible to be more single than i am.

4. is your tc more of the athletic type, the nerdy type or the artsy type?

he teaches english so i guess artsy?? bc like poetry and stuff. and he used to be in a band. but he also does sports (refer to me gushing about his body above), so i guess both. also i know he (used to?) read manga so maybe a lil nerdy??

5. if you and your tc were in high school together, do you think you’d be friends?

yes!! we have so much stuff in common and talking to him is always so therapeutic although i’m kinda bad @ making friends, oops

6. name one song that reminds you of your tc and explain why that song reminds you of them.

i don’t have one :/ i know he loves music and i do too and i really wanna talk to him about it but i don’t know how to bring it up. ugh

7. is your tc fashionable or are they more of the simple type? what is one outfit you’d love to see them wear?

above average but i wouldn’t say fashionable. i’d like to see him wear nothing ;)

8. would you be willing to become a teacher and teach your tc’s subject if it meant you two could be together?

my english is passable but def not the best, my students would probably fail but yes :))) sorry @ my students but i did it for love

9. does your tc drink or smoke?

definitely drink idk about smoking. i hope he dosen’t just for health’s sake.

10. name one item that is always on your tc’s desk.

not gonna answer bc i’m paranoid about being specific oops.

11. has your tc ever done anything that has either thrown you off, annoyed you, angered you or bothered you in any way? if so, what did they do?

probably but i can’t think of anything rn.

edit: not to me but to someone else, i really don’t like some of the rules my school has and i think they’re dumb, and he scolded someone else for breaking one of them.

12. does your tc have any past jobs that you know of, before becoming a teacher?

nopeee

13. does your tc have kids or siblings? if so, how many?

i’m pretty sure no

14. are you taking your tc’s class next year?

no i’m graduating:///

15. has your tc ever met your parents? if you were there, what was the meeting like?

nah. but during parent’s evening apparently he told another teacher who told my parents that he was proud of me. i wanted to ask for specifically what he said but i didn’t wanna be suspicious lol.

i’ll do the rest next time! credits to @baeby-tc

[valeptraglia]

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Battle of Calormen

Chapter 9: "Metanoia"

- metanoia -

[meh-ta-noy-ah] ● Greek

(n.) the journey of changing one's mind, heart, self, or way of life; spiritual conversion.

It is early in the morning, maybe too early, light is barely coming in through the courtains but birds are chirping in the trees nearby my window. It had rain all night making it difficult for me to sleep. And soon my brain decided it was enough sleep for me today so I couldn't stay I bed any longer.

Getting up from the bed I reached for the curtains covering the view of the window and pulled them aside. My stomach twisted. The sky was still cloudy, you could tell it was morning only because of the few rays of clarity that slipped through the clouds here and there.

It is not an obsession the one I have with the weather, it wasn't a metaphor either. I knew there was a reason for this cloudy Narnia. Something was moving in the shadows, acting from the dark. I could feel it in my guts. This was bad news.

I sighed and turned heading for the sideboard. I sat in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection. A ghostly face stared back at me in the mirror. The white nightgown made me look paler. Even the blue of my eyes seemed colorless, off.

With resignation I grabbed the brush, it was therapeutic for me, brushing my hair. It gave me time to put my ideas in order, to clear my mind. And I definitely need that at this moment.

I took a deep breath and exhaling I started brushing the ends of my hair. The humidity was unbearable and it made my hair terribly frizzy and fluffy as the brush combed it. I tried to relax and stopped thinking about meaningless things. I closed my eyes and slowly the important things flooded my mind.

Last evening I had a very needed, although I didn't want to admit it, talk with Edmund. I told him. I confessed how I felt. It's not that I'm not happy to be back in Narnia, because to be fair I haven't felt this hopeful in quite a long time, but how long will it last? At this point I don't know if I want it to last a long time or if I want to find a door to take me back to England in the next corner. What we lose by returning home will be relative to the time we spend here. And I am not willing to lose anything or anyone for an adventure that I'll have to forget when it's over. I don't think my siblings see it this way.

I told Ed how I felt back at home. Empty. Pursuing a life that I built for myself in an attempt to fit in in our world, I get carried away, I am aware of it, and I let it happen. I want it to happen. I want to lose myself in that meaningless world. I don't want to feel, I don't want to remember what I had and what it has been taken away from me when we left Narnia.

Thinking of home someone came into my mind for the first time we arrived. Robert. He asked me to marry him and I answered that first he had to meet the family and then I would answer him. Of course I was going to say yes. I am twenty-three after all I should be married by now, and I've had enough suitors, but none of them seemed, well, right. I think that's the only part of the world that I've created around me that I want it to be real. After all I'll be spending the rest of my life with the man.

Robert is a good man. He cares about m e and his family, has a good job, he is a lawyer, and is eager to start his own family. He is a gentleman and handsome enough. My parents will like them. My siblings? I don't think so. They'll be polite, of course, but I know they won't like him.

And I? Well, I guess I did expressed myself as "I was going to say yes". I don't love him and it won't be fair for him or for me. Suddenly I don't want to go back home. I feel anxious.

I struggled with a few knots in my hair and then continue with my thoughts.

My brothers and sister, they mean everything to me even if I don't show it. I worry about them and not just here, back at home too. Beautiful and childlike Lucy, nineteen and in nurse school, this makes me smile, she is nothing like me, she is such a sweet young lady, so caring for the rest, her life will be filled with joy that coming from the ones she helps.

Edmund. I meant what I said yesterday, he is becoming a great man, long ago he overcomed his monsters. I am so proud of him. I remember the afternoon tea we had when I last visited him and Peter in Cambridge with our parents, when I saw him crossing the street covering his head with his college bag, his bright smile when he saw us. It made me nostalgic.

And Peter. My big brother, or may I say the professor? A philosophy professor, that one I didn't see coming. Although he did teach us a lot, he took his role as the oldest brother seriously, almost like a job, and now he made of it his profession. Peter is a mess, he is all over the place, wherever he is in books will be find scattered all around him, he will engage in conversation with anyone and try to deconstruct everything they say. He traveled a lot around the world last year and has amazing stories for anyone willing to hear him.

I will always be their greatest admirer.

It is time for me to quit this falsehood and go back to what's important.

I combed my hair in a low bun and changed. I took one last glance at the mirror. "You got this". And I left the room towards the thrones room.

Today the company is leaving north, to the dwarves to retrieve weapons for this unstoppable war that's heading towards us. I am afraid this mission is a failure, not because I doubt the dwarves ability to forge iron, or because I doubt the company's abilities to carry the weapons safely back to Cair Paravel. It's because there's still a traitor walking around the castle, around us as if nothing, unpunished.

The mystery of the war prisoner's death hasn't been solved yet. Bavra, the faun, was the only one punished, and in my opinion he was punished because of a lack of evidence in favor of him, I highly doubt that faun had anything to do with the prisoner's death.

The bodies of the fallen in battle that day had been inspected in search of similar wounds but none of them coincided. This was a major problem, the possibility of having a traitor in the castle could bring an endless list of awfulness.

As I imagined, Erasmus, Peter and Edmund were already in a meeting with Diácano as I entered the room. The four of them turn quickly and in surprise when the doors open to let me in.

"Good morning gentlemen" I greeted them with a cheeky smile "Last minute detail arrangements?"

"Susan! Dear, good morning!" Erasmus saluted me with open arms, a charming man he was.

Diácano smiled politely and bowed when I reached the table, a gesture that I returned.

"Hey Su, good morning" greeted me passing his arm over my shoulders.

"Hi sis" said Edmund on his left "as a matter of fact, yes, we are arranging some details" he seemed quite satisfied.

"Any novelty?" I wonder curiously.

The four of them looked at each other and Erasmus nodded his head. Alright I am all ears, there is something here.

"We sent a few runners ahead of the company a few days ago, we received some news this early morning, they already got to dwarves and are guarding the road, and everything is looking fine" Edmund explained.

I knew they wouldn't take any risks "You kept this in silence, you didn't tell me!" I accused them faking hurt. These were very encouraging news.

"Out of the four of us you are the first to know, I should tell Calantha to avoid inconveniences" Erasmus said with a sheepish smile.

"Oh and Lucy" added Peter.

"No one else knows?" I asked.

"Nope. I think this will turn out alright. This mission has to succeed Diácano" Peter said almost like praying to the centaur on his right.

"We won't fail, your Majesty" he reassured in a deep voice.

(End of Susan's POV)

[fmhiphop]

The World Of Rhys Kelly: Eye Sculptures And Jewelry Beyond Imagination

What artist is tearing up the art scene and sparking inspiration left and right? None other than the sensational sculptural artist and custom jewelry designer Rhys Kelly! With an unstoppable passion for the boundless creativity that lies within the eyes, Rhys Kelly's art is a vibrant tribute to individuals' unique perspectives. And guess what else? FMHipHop got an exclusive opportunity to chat with this extraordinary artist and jewelry maestro about her remarkable journey. The insights and stories she shared with us are inspiring. Early Childhood Curiosity: Rhys' Fascination With Eyeballs Since she was a kid, Rhys has been conjuring up all sorts of inventions and creations. You know what's even cooler? Her family has always been there, cheering her on and encouraging her to embrace her passions. "In lower school I used to doodle eyeballs onto my classwork and thought nothing of it," Rhys said. "It's funny how life unfolds over time!" Rhys is living proof that when you nurture a child's creativity, the possibilities become endless! Carefully applying paint to those little orbs is an oasis for her overthinking mind. It's a therapeutic experience that takes her to a whole new level of Zen. But how did Rhys develop such an unusual passion? It all started when she was just a kid. Even at a young age, her curiosity about eyeballs was unparalleled. She couldn't help but be fascinated by those mesmerizing windows to the soul. They held a mysterious allure that drew her in, and she couldn't look away. Fast forward to Kelly's time at art trade school. The excitement that bubbled inside her when she discovered a course on creating prosthetic eyeballs for character and creature design was like a dream come true! And boy, did she fall head over heels for the whole process! Special FX Trade School: A Transformative Experience Rhys is a jewelry designer who's not afraid to think outside the box, and I mean way outside. We're talking hyper-personalized artistic vision here! This talented designer didn't just stop at creating beautiful pieces; she turned her passion into a thriving business faster than you can say, "bling bling." But how did she make it happen? It all began at a Special FX trade school in Pennsylvania. Yep! Rhys decided to take her skills to the next level by immersing herself in prosthetic eyeballs and sculptures. Talk about unconventional! However, that's not all she learned there. This trade school was like a treasure trove of knowledge, teaching her about the different materials she could work with. And she's got quite a collection now. "My go-to materials are always acrylic paint, different forms of resin, and clay for sculptural pieces," Rhys said. Choosing The Right Materials: Executing The Vision Curious minds...I can practically see those wheels turning in your heads, itching to uncover the mysterious creative process of Rhys. How does she transform her wild imagination into real masterpieces? And does she adhere to a specific approach or method? Well..... "My creative process normally begins with a thought or idea that pops into my mind, and then I draw it on paper to get the vision out of my head. Once the idea is on paper, I then think about what materials I will use to execute it into real life." Now, when it comes to honing your craft, it's no walk in the park. But that's not the only hurdle you'll face! Take Rhys, for instance. The biggest mountain she's had to climb? Assembling a team of like-minded individuals to collaborate with. Her art sets her soul on fire, and gosh, does she struggle with delegating tasks to others. But fortunately, she's not giving up! Oh no, she's taking charge and tackling this obstacle head-on. How, you ask? By scouting for talented folks to bring on board! Will she find the perfect team? That's the million-dollar question, my friends! But one thing's for sure: Rhys is determined to make it happen! Spreading Love And Light Picture yourself strolling into a room and spotting one of Rhys' eyeball sculptures perched on a shelf. Bam! It catches your attention like a dazzling shooting star streaking across the night sky. But we all know that when it comes to visual stuff, people have their own unique tastes, right? Some love it, some hate it, and some are just plain confused. But here's the real question: How does Rhys want you to feel when you look at her creations? "I want my art to inspire people to embrace each other's perspectives, reminding them to spread love and light into the world." Such a positive retort! Rhys' Favorite Art Piece: The Drippy Eye Stand People have their own unique opinions when it comes to visuals. But wouldn't you like to know what Rhys' favorite piece is among all those extraordinary eyeball sculptures and jewelry she's created? I mean, come on, with so many fabulous creations, there has to be one that really stands out for her. "So far, my favorite art piece is the Drippy Eye Stand," Kelly responded. "To me, it's unique because the eye is customized to a specific person's eye color, I've never seen anything like it before, and I can duplicate it with many different color variations in the future, so it's super exciting!" Absolutely! I mean, who wouldn't be blown away by the sheer awesomeness of sharpening your skills to transform a natural art form into a multitude of stunning variations? It's like unlocking a whole new level of artistic wizardry! Plus, can you imagine the progress you'll make as an artist by embracing this practice? It's a surefire recipe for unleashing your true creative potential. Going Beyond The Ordinary Rhys aims to do just that through her work – touch the hearts of countless individuals and ignite a spark of inspiration within them. Why settle for the ordinary when you can dream big and make those dreams a reality? She wants to convey this message loud and clear, shouting from the rooftops that anything is possible! In addition, she understands that to make a difference truly, we need more than just big ideas. We need open minds, hearts filled with love, and an unwavering commitment to calmness and understanding. These guiding forces can lead us to become better versions of ourselves. In the near future, Rhys Kelly gazes into the horizon and envisions a magnificent transformation in her work. "I want to explore the art gallery world and create more refined, polished, and high-end art pieces that will live on for years to come. I plan to experiment with many different sculpting and painting techniques." Responding To Negative Reactions: Approaching With Love, Peace, And Understanding Imagine a world filled with positive vibes, where everyone's dreams and aspirations float like colorful balloons. It's a delightful sight. But amidst all this positivity, there are those pesky negative folks who can't seem to hop on the happy train. Has Rhys, the amazing creator behind all these positive visions and affirmations, ever encountered any adversity or faced criticism for her extraordinary work? And if she has, how on earth does she handle it? "I feel like anyone who gets a little attention for anything is always going to have some people who dislike what they're doing," she said. "Luckily, I haven't had much criticism or bad reactions throughout my growing art career. If I were to receive bad reactions, I'd just address it with love, peace, and understanding." Her personality oozes maturity and self-control! Connecting With Prominent Figures: How Rhys' PR Team Works Rhys has some cool stuff to offer! You can rock her notable works as a funky necklace or a stylish ring, and they range in price from $100 to $200. But if you're looking for something on a grander scale, you can even go for one of her stunning installations, which range from $500 to a whopping $8,000. Talk about making a statement! As for her star-studded clientele, we're talking about big names like Busy Phillips, Olivia Rodrigo, and David Dobrik, to name a few. You might be wondering, "How on earth did she manage to work with such famous celebrities?" She's got a secret weapon - her fantastic PR team!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by RHYS KELLY ✫彡 (@rhyskellyofficial)   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by RHYS KELLY ✫彡 (@rhyskellyofficial) Rhys has connected with these prominent figures thanks to her amazing PR team. They handle all the celebrity communications, ensuring her artwork gets into the hands of these famous people. So, next time you see one of Rhys' fabulous pieces on a celebrity, remember that there's a team behind the scenes making it happen. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be able to wear one of her stunning creations yourself, feeling like a superstar! The Power Of Advice In Creative Journeys Our creative journeys can be changed by advice. Aspiring sculptural artists bursting with passion have a burning desire to explore those unique and out-of-the-box themes in their magnificent creations. Fortunately, Rhys Kelly, seasoned sculptor extraordinaire, has a wealth of advice just for you! Trust me; this is the kind of wisdom you won't want to miss out on. "My advice would be to go for it and not think about it too much! The more you think about it, the longer it'll take to complete... so just draw out your idea and get the materials you need to execute it :) " To purchase some of Rhys Kelly's unique creations, visit her website here. Unveiling The Tale: The Origins Of Slick Rick's Unique Eye Patch Now that we've delved into the fascinating world of Rhys Kelly's remarkable eye sculptures and jewelry, let's plunge into the world of celebrities who've sported the one-eye look throughout their lives and careers. As time passed, fans couldn't help but notice the ever-evolving eye patch donned by rap legend Slick Rick. Strutting down countless red carpets, effortlessly coordinating his eye patch with his jaw-dropping outfits. That's what I call fashion forward! But what's the tale behind his unique eye patch? When Slick Rick was just an infant, tragedy struck. A shard of glass from a shattered window found its way into his innocent eye, robbing him of his sight forever. Heartbreaking, isn't it? This tidbit comes straight from trusted sources at Black Doctor. Curiously, Slick Rick doesn't often broach the topic. However, once upon a time, he shared his remarkable journey in a captivating 2012 interview with Red Bull Music Academy. In his own words, he revealed, "I used to wear like a contact lens, anything that camouflaged the eyes, cuz you know, the eyes is kind of messed up, you know," he said at the time. "Gradually I just started wearing, I was wearing Ray-Bans for a while. Then after a while, I just said, 'I’m just gonna wear the patch.' And then the patch seems to have caught on," he added. "So, I just stuck with the patch. Sometimes I wear the glasses, but you know, most people prefer the patch." Who knew a broken window could shape a legendary artist's style? The mysteries of life never cease to amaze! The Book That Changed Everything: A Moment Of Accidental Chaos Are you aware of why Romeo from the R&B group Immature wore that eye patch? It wasn't just for being mysteriously sexy! The surprising truth emerged during a fateful interview on Power 106 FM Nick Cannon Mornings in November 2020. The singer spills the beans and reveals that R&B sensation Brandy Norwood was responsible for his eye patch. According to Romeo, Brandy and former Immature group member, Half Pint, got into a heated argument. And in the heat of the moment, Brandy clutched a book in her hand. Little did she know calamity was coming! In a random act of fate, she flung the book back without care, unaware of anyone standing nearby. But what happened next was straight out of a wild movie script. That unsuspecting toss of the book hit Romeo devastatingly, cutting his retina but also detaching it, causing the lens in his eye to take an unexpected dive. And guess who comes to the rescue? Brandon Adams, the actor known for his role in the hit TV show Moesha, caught his flying lens!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Romeo, Batman & LDB (@immatureofficial) Can you believe that a simple argument could lead to such unexpected eye-popping drama? Life truly surprises us when we least expect it! The Spotlight On Ruger: A Nigerian Singer With A Flair For The Dramatic Let's dive into the fascinating story of Ruger, the Nigerian singer with a flair for the dramatic! Imagine this: The spotlight is shining on the incredible artist known as Ruger, or as I like to call him, Michael Adebayo. But what's the deal with that eye patch he always rocks? It's not just a style statement; it's a symbol that tells a powerful tale. During an interview in January with the fabulous Nancy Isime, Ruger shed some light on the story behind his eye patch. Someone in his life has faced adversity head-on, losing an eye but refuses to let it hinder their progress. This individual pushed forward against all odds, becoming even stronger in the process. And you know what? Ruger wanted to honor this person by adopting their courageous spirit and wearing that eye patch as a constant reminder of their resilience. Additionally, Ruger, the mastermind behind his brand identity, explained that the eye patch also represents his connection to snipers. But how? Well, Ruger himself focuses on their targets with incredible attention to detail. And you know what they do? They close one eye to get laser-sharp aim. It's like Ruger is channeling their prowess and bringing it into his own artistic journey.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Notjustok.com (@notjustok) Oh, and did I mention his name? Ruger. Just saying it gives off a bold vibe. But it's also the name of a gun! Ruger's identity is intertwined with the powerful image of a firearm, further fueling his unique persona. Nikiya Biggs conducted the interview. Written by Nikiya Biggs | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Follow and like FMHipHop on Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube! Read the full article

[theartofmusicology]

Not gonna lie, waking up at 6 am everyday is hard. Especially in quarantine, on holidays and especially for the first week its very hard. The first day was okay because we had made the promise to ourselves that we were going to get up. It felt very spontaneous as we hadn't done any planning at all so we did spend some time sitting around saying "what are we going to do next?" but what we did do was really good. Due to it being our first day, we did a lot of admin; I set up a money tracking page for both of us, made a shopping list, created a weekly planner spread sheet and wrote out a big huge to do list of things I had to do and learn in this strange quarantine holiday break period thing.

Overall, the first day left us feeling really motivated to continue. We struggled to get to bed at 9 like we said we were going to because we got so stuck into the work that we were doing. We had decided to treat ourselves to Mexican food for dinner and Uber eats messed it up so that took a while to sort out and then we sat down with a friend to watch Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary performance because it is a favourite in our house. We ended up going to bed late but sometimes thats the reality of life.

Tuesday was a tough day to get out of bed. Apparently you can turn off your alarm and fall asleep again without remembering. I know because I did it and then I only actually woke up when Sophie texted me. After that, it was a really productive day and I got everything on my to do list done (including over an hour of singing practice which was really good to get done). Tuesday we managed to get to bed fairly on time as well. Its amazing how just shifting your life hours forwards can make you so productive and fulfilled. Not going to lie we were also exhausted at the same time.

Wednesday, I found, was really easy to get out of bed. Our walk was really lovely and we managed to catch the sunrise which I think gave us a little bit more motivation to keep going. There's nothing quite like the sunrises and sunsets here in Perth. I got almost everything that I wanted to done. I also managed to film my duet which meant I could concentrate on other things. Wednesday taught us that we can't schedule everything. As we were leaving uni we ran into our friends and had a really good chat (1.5m away of course). It absolutely wasn't planned and yes, it cut into our time doing other things and yes, we ate dinner later than planned but in a time like this, its so important to keep in contact with your loved ones and people who bring so much joy into your life.

Thursday was the same as every other day. We went for our walk, came home, ate brekky and we were productive. I was able to go and do some dance as well which was really fun and therapeutic. I found I was working harder and I had more energy then I did while we were sort of just doing whatever we wanted whenever we wanted, not stetting alarms and things like that.

Friday was a tough day to say the least. Getting out of bed was fine and we got our coffee on our morning walk but as the day went on it got harder. I got some work done in the morning and a close friend dropped some (very yummy) bagels off on their morning bike ride, which was very thoughtful of them to check in on us in such a time. I had a very hard singing lesson in which I felt kind of useless because I had no idea what was going on the entire time because I am a music theatre student and we have been working through the Vaccai vocalises and the recitative vocalise at the end of the book is very challenging, even for the classical students. So that kind of put a stump on my day. While I spent a few hours kind of moping around, I also got some things done. I tried to do some school work but my brain wasn't in the right mode to do any academia so I decided to do some more domestic tasks instead. I did things that I'd normally do on a Friday such as my washing and cleaning, I also made a little collage of 'rainy day reminders' on our fridge because I don't want anyone else in my house feeling like they aren't good enough or they don't know whats going on. It was a kind of therapy for me to write out little positive things for others because it also was a sort of self reminder that positivity is a choice and its what you make of the 'bad' things that matters.

Saturday was an unplanned day. What we had planned, only sort of got done and then a whole lot of other things happened during the day. We started off with a stretch to try out my fitness assignment program. We then made some brekky and started work on our blog. I was falling asleep working on some posts so I got up and went into my room. While I was in there, I found some things that I needed that I was wanting to get our of my suitcases and I put some washing away. After this, I was more awake and able to concentrate on the work that I was doing. I smashed out a couple of blog posts before we went to get ingredients to make scones and do our meal planning. After we made our scones, a friend came upstairs to us and watched a movie and then a few more people came up for drinks. We went to bed really late, like 1am late. It was a real challenge to stay up until 1 but it was a good night with our friends. I think this just goes to show how much our social lives impact our sleeping patterns. It reminds us that things come up and sometimes you do just stay up and have a bottle of wine until 1 and talk about life and that's okay!

Sunday was a late start. We woke up at 7am and stayed in bed for another 20ish minutes. I got up first and started cleaning up and making our pre-planned pancakes. After a wholesome brekky, we went shopping and did our groceries for the week. When we got home, we emptied out our cupboards and rearranged them so now they are all completely organised. We had some lunch and then I went to uni where I was at uni for about 4 hours and then came home and ate dinner and did some weekly admin. I crashed really easily because I was SO tired from staying up late the night before but as long as you catch up on the sleep, its fine. Sunday was a fairly slow day but I love that we were able to be so domestic.

Overall, this week has taught me a lot about who I am as a person and who I have the potential to be. Getting up at 6am has been a good way to kickstart my productivity. I used to think that I would never become a morning person and don't get me wrong, getting out of my cozy bed to go for a walk when its freezing cold is really hard - but the fact that i have someone to do it with is really motivating and makes it so much more enjoyable. Obviously I know that when uni goes back I will have to adjust this routine because of my schedule but I don't mind so much because I will still be established in this routine. I have loved being able to learn new skills (Sophie is teaching me how to cook because I never learned) and having more time during my day to get stuff done. Ultimately, I think its changed my life for the better and I can be more productive now, which is something that year 12 really took out of me.

~ Carolyn xo

[ultsoobins]

my idiot - CYJ

requested: 

no

notes:

boxer!yeonjun and boxer!reader teach a class! some swearing and a lot of fluff

summary:

love is stored in the ring... the boxing ring, that is

“there’s 8 basic punches in boxing,” yeonjun’s voice resonates through the tiny one-room mat room, and you sit up straighter in your chair behind the receptionist’s desk.

although you’d much rather be teaching, jungkook had assigned you the front desk and yeonjun the beginners’ class for this week. you aren’t entirely sure why, of course, but you have to admit that the only time you’re okay with sitting back and watching is when the person you’re observing is yeonjun choi. you sit forward, sliding your feet off of the desk and placing your elbow on it instead, placing your chin in your palm as you do so. your gaze is trained on your best friend, your eyes curious, inquisitive about what his teaching style is.

he meets your gaze immediately once he looks over at you, and his grin widens. “(name)! care to help me demonstrate?”

yeonjun doesn’t miss how your eyes brighten at the idea of getting in some action. even so, you play it coy, shooting him a falsely reluctant expression instead. “but i’m having so much fun sitting and doing nothing,” you start, already getting out of your chair. “it’s therapeutic, really. you should try it some time.”

the two of you have always done this - the jovial push and pull between you two. you aren’t sure if it’s within your friendship or about something more, but you shove that idea out of your head before it even fully forms.

after all, your job is not the right place to think about your burgeoning crush on your closest friend.

yeonjun laughs and watches fondly as you shuck your shoes off before getting on the mat. the school is too small, too new to afford a proper ring, so for now martial arts grade mats and a couple of rolled up wrestling mats are all you guys get by on.

it doesn’t matter, though - yeonjun’s still a regional champ, and you’ve made it to state before. soobin and beomgyu, too, place fairly well at district and area levels, so your small school can evidently kick a huge amount of ass.

you high five a girl who can’t be much older than eight, grinning at how satisfied she seems with the smack of your palm against her tiny one. before you can say anything to her, yeonjun - his hands bare of gloves for now - places his hand on the small of your back, directing your gaze back to him. once you meet his eyes he almost unceremoniously shoves boxing pads into your arms, chuckling as you almost drop one.

you shoot him a glare of - fake - annoyance before strapping them on and getting into a better stance. yeonjun fixes how he’s standing as well before turning back to the waiting elementary age students, their eyes wide as they prepare to absorb self defense knowledge.

in your mind’s eye you can already envision the kids running around their houses or on playground pretending to be professional boxers or superheroes, saving the world with their newfound physical prowess. the thought makes you giggle, forcing you to fight to straighten your face and focus on what yeonjun’s explaining now.

he keeps his gloves off, hanging by the waist of his baggy shorts. this is so the kids can see how he punches, his fist curled perfectly so his first two knuckles are slightly forward, with his thumb providing stability. yeonjun points out how he instead clenching his fist too tightly, how he’s relaxed and confident.

you nod along, knowing as well as anybody how right he is. finally, yeonjun finishes his short speech on the importance of making a good fist. the kids are bored by the schematics - you both know this - though they’re necessary to know. it’s why, when yeonjun turns back to look at you, he mouths a ‘be ready’ to you.

understanding immediately, your brace yourself and lighten your core, making sure your weight isn’t pulling you down through your heels. yeonjun calls for the kids’ collective attention and, once he has it, he turns to you.

his eyes darken in the way they only do when he’s in the ring, and you place your hands up, pads facing forward.

you do so right in time, too - within milliseconds yeonjun’s fists are flying, forcing you to step back in a circle around the mats. you swing, too, a couple times so he can demonstrate ducking. the two of you slip into it easily, as if this deadly dance is routine to you - which, you suppose, it really is.

as soon as it had started, it’s over - with both you and yeonjun having broken a bare sweat and every child’s mouth hanging open in awe. you unstrap the boxing pads, overhanding them to yeonjun who snatches them out of the air easily. as soon as he fixes them in place, you’re on him, chasing him back the whole way he’d taken you. at the end of it, the kids are cheering, excited to be able to learn everything the two of you have been doing.

they’re excited to use it all on their friends, their siblings, the unlucky stuffed animals on their bed - anyone and anything. the smiles on all of their faces are contagious now, but you can almost feel the pissed and confused parent calls coming your way a week from now.  

you shove that out of your mind - that’s a headache for another day.

for now, you have to teach fifteen kids in their single digits how to hit, and how to hit right.

“the first punch is the jab,” you say once everyone’s quieted down, turning to demonstrate on the pads yeonjun is holding up. “then it’s the cross, and then the front high hook, rear low hook, front low hook, rear overhand, front uppercut, and rear uppercut.” these are all done in rapid succession, and yeonjun raises an eyebrow at how fast you’re going. once you show them all off, you step back, turning slightly to check the time.

10:47 - 17 minutes in to a 30 minute class.

“we’ll only be working on jabbing and crossing today,” you say, and do both of those - albeit very, very slowly this time - again on yeonjun. “partner up - you guys can be in a group of three - and get one set of boxing pats and one set of gloves per group,”

“they’re all in that shelf set back there,” yeonjun supplements just in case, and some of the kids nod as they walk off the mat, chattering loudly enough amongst themselves that each conversation is mildly indiscernible.

“front desk is that boring, huh?” yeonjun asks as he takes the pads off and drops them to the mat, voice low in your ear. the kids are all preoccupied, fighting between who gets which colored gloves. he’s talking about how aggressively you’d just shown off the punches, desperate to work some part of your body out, but you feign ignorance anyways.

“i have not one clue what you’re talking about,” you grin at him blindingly for a moment before letting your facade drop. “i’m sorry for taking your teaching time -”

“don’t be!” yeonjun’s quick to reassure you that he doesn’t mind, reaching down to squeeze your hand with his warm, mildly sweaty - you wince at this - one. you nudge your shoulder against your best friends before stepping back, moving off the mat.

“they’re all yours now - you might want to break up the fight over the yellow gloves, by the way.”

“shit,” yeonjun swears, moving as quickly as he does in the ring to go calm the kids down in the back. you laugh to yourself before putting your feet up on the desk and grabbing the USA Wrestling magazine you’d been reading way, way earlier.

you aren’t worried about yeonjun - for the next thirteen minutes of the class he’ll be the best defense instructor these kids have ever had - you’re sure of it.

the rest of class speeds by once parents begin to trickle in, finally giving you work to do one you bill those who said they’d pay every first class of every month and sign kids out once they’re accounted for. at times you see yeonjun giggling at something a little boy has said out of your peripheral vision or hear him praise a proud child, and you can’t help the fond grin that crosses your face. when the last child leaves, waving goodbye to you and yeonjun as her parents thank you both, you turn to see yeonjun leaning over the des, towel around his neck and the water he’d just been drinking spilling slightly down over his chin.

you roll your eyes, wiping it off of his mouth on instinct before walking around the desk. the next lesson is at 12 - the two of you have a lunch break. grabbing the school’s keys as well as yeonjun’s car keys, you toss him the latter while letting the other dangle between your fingers.

you register how uncharacteristically quiet yeonjun is being but choose to ignore it, knowing that he’ll speak what’s on his mind sooner or later. no sooner than you decide to leave him be, yeonjun lets out an unsure - almost shuddering - sigh before speaking.

“will you get lunch with me?” yeonjun asks, breaking the comfortable silence between the two of you. you furrow your brows at this as you open the door, ushering him out before following.

“we always eat lunch together anyways,” you point out as you lock the door, jiggling the handle once, twice to ensure that it won’t give. yeonjun chuckles - though you can hear a hint of nervousness in his voice - at your response as he waits.

“yeah but that’s always … as friends.” he trails off with the last two words, voice so small you almost don’t believe that you’ve heard him.

“do you…” you start, unsure of how to continue for a moment. “... do you want to go as something else?”

“as something more?” he asks you, and you find yourself momentarily unable to speak. he takes this as a rejection, grip tightening around the towel around his neck as he steps back.

“i - shit, i’m sorry -” he starts, and you’re shaken out of your stupor.

“no d- don’t be, jun, i’d love to eat out with you as... as more than friends.” this time it’s your voice that gets smaller, inversely proportional to how wide yeonjun’s smile gets before he pulls you into a crushing hug.

“you’re sweaty, you oaf!” exclaiming in mock disgust, you push your best friend - more than a best friend? - away from you, both of you laughing as you do. he unlocks his car, opening the passenger side door for you before stepping into the driver’s seat. once you’re both safely secured and once he’s backed out entirely, a question comes to mind.

“what made you ask today, of all days?”

yeonjun blushes at this, checking his side view mirrors as he thinks about how to answer you. you let out a questioning hum again, and he sighs.

“seeing you teach about something you’re so, so damn passionate about made me feel like i was missing out by not telling you how i feel,” he starts, the red near his jaw deepening past just the sheen of sweat. you let out a wheeze, almost cackling at his confession.

“yeonjun choi, do you mean to tell me that you asked me out because you got jealous of how much i love a sport?”

“when you put it that way of course it sounds idiotic - ”

“because it is,” you begin as you laugh, heart almost bursting with joy and amusement as yeonjun pouts. leaning in, you press your lips gently to his cheek.

“it’s okay, though, because you trump boxing. and it’s doubly okay because while it’s idiotic, it’s coming from my idiot.”

“your idiot?” yeonjun grins, looking over at you for a quick second before turning back to the road. he places his hand gently on your knee as he does so, and you lace your fingers with yours. you nod before pulling your hand - and his - up, pressing your lips to the back of his hand.

“my idiot.”

[gaiahypothesims]

50 Questions for your Sim

I was tagged by TWO people but I can’t scroll back far enough to see who the second was!!! I’m so sorry! @ultroslovesyou Thanks for the tag that I CAN find.

Ash would LOVE to answer these himself. And its LONG because .... Ashley. (Its like... so long I’m embarrassed)

01. How old is your sim? Isn’t age subjective? I’m as wise as an elder, but youthful in looks as a young man in his absolute prime. 

02. When is your sim’s birthday? On the most perfect day. My Mother said the sun was shining and all the birds were singing. My newborn cries were met with tears of joy and happiness. 

03. What is your sim’s zodiac sign? This is a complicated question, as the Zodiac horoscopes you see popularly don’t take into account so many details. For one-... No I can’t answer this without explaining everything-

04. What is your sim’s ethnicity? I’m a child of the world. Fine, my parents are originally from India. Though I’ll have you know this kind of question is very narrow-minded.

05. Does your sim have any nicknames? Ash. That’s it. NO you may not ask my brother if I have any others.... or Evelyn... or Rosie. Just take my word for it.

06. Do they have a job? Travel Writer and a professional student in the teachings of the world. In fact, I do believe that being an avid learner in all things-

07. Where does your sim live? Its rude to interrupt someone every time they try to answer a question. AS I was saying, being an avid learner has taught me that there is no such thing as having a ‘job’. We have a responsibility to cultivate our PASSIONS. In that way you will never once be trapped by a ‘job’ or by one ‘place’, a box really, to call a home. 

08. Who does your sim live with? I’ve lived with so many different, unique, and beautiful individuals. I’ve been really helping my amazing friend Evelyn out. She’s very dependent on my mental fortitude. I don’t find it trying at all, though there are some days I do feel an imbalance in my Chi due to her constant bitching about my hair shedding. I tell her that just because she can SEE my hair better because its black doesn’t mean that she isn’t shedding as well. The OTHER day I found a long, thin, sad, brown hair in my soup, and I know for a fact that I have only the most luxurious raven black hair. 

09. What environment did your sim grow up in? (strict, loving, cold etc.) I have the most loving of parents. My brother on the other hand... well let’s just say he’s embraced Capitalistic conspiracy. 

10. What are your sim’s favourite food? I’ve found that the most healing and ethereal foods are what my body craves. Something like Lotus blossom water, I feel could sustain me for years. .. hmm?.. Oh no, I’d never TRY to live off of it. It is just water...

11. What is your sim’s favourite drink? I adore a good Oolong tea, I have an interesting story about how I was introduced to this-

12. If they have one what is your sim’s favourite color? Well that was rude, I wanted to explain the Oolong. Very well... moving on. How can one choose a favourite colour? The spectrum is SO vast. Can you believe that human eye can perceive approximately 10,000,000 colours? How can I choose a favourite?

13. Does your sim believe in any clichés? (love at first sight) Of course! There has to be a basis of truth if so many can relate to cliches. 

14. What is your sim’s sexuality? I would say that I do mostly enjoy the company of women sexually, but that’s not to say that I think men are unattractive. Sexuality isn’t a be all- end all. We are constantly learning new things about ourselves. I’ve recently discovered that I don’t mind a bit of anal play. I’ll tell you exactly how I discovered this, and it might surprise you-

15. What is your sim’s gender identity? How can you NOT want to learn more about my experience? It might change your life. I’m going to be writing about it for my next article. It has something to do with... a bath house.. and that’s ALL you’re going to get from me since you so rudely interrupted. Again.

16. Is your sim type a or type b? I don’t believe in types. Like asking me if I’m a square or a circle. I’m an entire sphere, unable to be bound to your strict typist ideals.

17. Is your sim introverted or extroverted? I would have to say that I am thoughtfully introverted. 

18. What is your sim’s favourite woohoo position? Oh so NOW you want to hear about my sexual exploits? Well its too late. I’ve been through the entire Kama Sutra, and NO that is not because I have Indian heritage, and it would have shocked you. 

19. Is your sim a pet person? If so what is their favourite animal? Not so much. I like Jonah’s dog actually. In fact he is likely more loyal to me now than he ever was to Jonah. An animal can sense things. 

20. Does your sim have a best friend? Rosie and Evelyn.

21. What is/was your sim’s favourite school subject? I quite enjoyed creative writing, which I think is why I turned to Travel Writing. The absolute best of both worlds. 

22. Is/was your sim a high, mid or low achiever in school? Every child has their own strengths and I find it unfair to measure one against the other when everyone is a unique learner. 

23. Are they planning to go or have they already been to college? If so, what would be or what was their major? I did go for a few years, but I never graduated with a degree. The classes that I took were all for my own interest, not to pander to organized academia for a worthless piece of paper.

24. What are your sim’s political beliefs? (if they have them) Politics are a construct to keep the individual from reaching their full potential. 

25. What is one thing your sim wants to do before they die? I’d like to share my travels with someone that I love, and that loves me back. 

26. Does your sim have a favourite TV show (cable) and/or movie? Watching television stunts a persons cultural and creative growth.

27. Is your sim a Netflix viewer? If so what are their top 3 shows. No.

28. Does your sim like books? Absolutely. I try to pick up a new book at every new location that I get to. I then leave my old book. Its a wonderful way to associate a certain story with a specific location. The feel and smell and tastes seem to stick better, for me, that way. 

29. Does your sim enjoy video games, if so what is their favourite one and do they play on PC or console? Well, I don’t love video games. But Evelyn owns one of those game systems, and sometimes we play together. Its purely for her therapeutic benefit that I join in.

30. What is your sim’s personal style? I wouldn’t dream of limiting myself to only one style.

31. Does your sim have a lucky charm? I make my own luck.

32. Is your sim religious? I’m an acolyte of all religions, including no religion.

33. What kind of music does your sim listen to and who is their favourite artist? There was a beggar woman in Romania that played the most beautiful violin. I gifted her talent with a hand-written poem. She didn’t seem to appreciate it, but I still remember her music.

34. Is your sim a festive person? If so what’s their favourite holiday? I love celebrating all the holidays, and festivals, as long as they aren’t attached to the shilling of Corporate greed. 

35. What is your sim’s favourite type of weather? All weather is beautiful and should be appreciated.

36. Does your sim prefer to start fights or finish them? I don’t prefer either.

37. Does your sim have a dream job? I am living my dream, doing something I love strictly for the passion of doing it.

38. Does your sim have any siblings? .... ugh.. one brother. Raj. 

39. Does your sim get along with their family? I love my parents very much. My mother is the most beautiful and loving woman, and my Father is generous and giving. 

40. What is your sim’s favourite hobby? Nothing, I don’t believe in hobbies. I believe in passion and doing. If you’re doing it and you love it, it isn’t a ‘hobby’ its a passionate endeavor. 

41. What does your sim look for in a romantic partner? I’m not very good at making things work with women. I’m not entirely sure why. It could be because I move so frequently. I have no schedule, no concept of time and plans. I suppose I’d love someone that also could be as flexible. 

42. What is a secret about your sim? I have no secrets, I’m an open book. <He’s extremely vain. His nonchalance is extremely cultivated>

43. What is a wish your sim has? To share my adventures with someone that loves me. 

44. What is a flaw your sim has? Is there really such a thing as flaws? Are we not like the kintsugi in Japanese pottery, “flaws” make us beautifully unique.

45. How do others generally perceive your sim? I would say that some are threatened by my complete oneness with the universe. They might see it as something else, arrogance... perhaps. Though if I could have a moment to explain it to them, they would understand and appreciate it.

46. Does your sim have a greatest achievement? Every achievement is a great one. For a person to get up in the morning, is an achievement. The will to say “yes! another.” and to make it through the day happily, unhappily, to have an adventure, to stay home and self-care, its what life is about. There is NO greatest achievement. Every action is great in itself, no matter how small.

47. If they have one, what is your sim’s greatest regret?  That I tried to follow in Rajan’s footsteps for too long. Instead of embracing who I really was. 

48. Does your sim have a favourite emoji? Emoji’s can’t properly convey all the feelings that I have. I feel that a wordy text, or a phone call is so much better. A long text is something the person can treasure over and over, but a phone call can contain so much more warmth and genuine conversation.

49. Does your sim use simstagram? <under his breath> Yes. 

50. What is the last text your sim sent (and who did they text)? Oh do I have to share? This isn’t exactly... fine.. its to Evelyn and it says: You’re a dirty tramp. <cough> ... I’m sure she’s treasuring the words right now, yes thank you. 

[littleindigochildx]

t a s k ♡ 2 1

1. Talk about your character’s name. What is it, and how is it pronounced? What does it mean? Does your character have any nicknames?

Name: SAVANNA

Pronounced: Sa-van-na

Meaning: It is of Spanish origin, and its meaning is "treeless plain” or “from an open plain.”

2. Post a picture of your character or describe what they look like in detail. Note any distinguishing facial features.

Her most distinguishing feature is her blue eyes. They seem to change with her mood. Sometimes they appear so light they almost look grey, sometimes they look green, but for the most party they’re a beautiful shade of crystal blue.

3. Describe your character’s personality.

Savvy is a free spirit with a big imagination. She loves all animals and being one with nature. Victoria and Declan often have a difficult time getting the seven year old to come inside, especially when the weather is nice. She is a compassionate child who loves to help people any way she can. She enjoys baking with her mom and her aunt or spending any free time she has with family. She inherited her creative abilities from her mother and grandmother so she loves any project that involves coloring, painting, drawing, or sculpting. Savanna also loves to read.

4. What is your character like in relationships? Are they clingy? Faithful or unfaithful? Do they jump from one relationship to the other?

She is single. Her father said she’s not allowed to date until she’s 30. (Vic agrees with this).

She’s fiercely independent, but faithful to any commitments she makes.

5. What kind of things does your character like? What do they dislike?

Likes: Dogs are her favorite but she loves all animals, especially the ones they have at their house. She also loves flowers (like her mom) and gardening with her grandmother. She also enjoys movie nights at the home, baking with her family, riding her bike with her brother Timmy, Disneyland, and going to the beach.

Dislikes: The dark, people saying negative things about her family, math, scary movies (but she watches them because Timmy and Clara love them), and brussel sprouts.

6. How does your character treat their friends and family? How about strangers? Enemies?

Savanna loves her family more than anything else. While they don’t always see eye to eye on everything, she would kill for them in a heartbeat. Nothing matters more than family.

She is the same way towards strangers. Her mother always tells her, “treat people how you want to be treated.” If there’s one thing the seven year old has learned in life it’s that everyone has a past and sometimes that come with baggage, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

She doesn’t have enemies. Savvy genuinely likes everyone.

7. What kind of people does your character surround themselves with? Why?

She surrounds herself with inspirational people. Most of them are family. Savanna idolizes her mom and dad, her big brothers, and her big sister. They are the most supportive, positive people in her life.

8. Where was your character born? Where have they lived since then? Where is the place that they call home?

Limbo, NV (born and raised).

Savvy is a little girl who loves adventure, but at the end of the day nothing makes her happier than being home on the farm. She loves being able to help her parents (Vic mostly) take care of their animals. It's one chore she never complains about.

9. Where does your character go when they are angry?

The barn. She finds it therapeutic to be around her animals. They’re the best listeners and she knows they’ll never share her secrets.

10. What is your character’s biggest fear? Who have they told this to? Who would they never tell this to? Why?

At this point in her life, her biggest fear is Declan going back to prison. She knows how devastating that would be for Victoria and she doesn't want him to miss out on anymore milestones in her life or Timothy's life.

She hadn't told this to anyone.

She would never tell her parents because she knows they don't like when she worries about "grown up" things. Especially when it's something that is out of her control. They want their youngest children to enjoy being kids.

11. Does your character have a secret? If so, what is it?

She does.

She and Timmy like to pretend they’re spies, so she knows more secrets than she’d care to admit. Savvy knows she’s not supposed to be spying on adult conversations, but curiosity always gets the best of her. She can’t help herself. Because of this, she knows there is something wrong with Declan, but she had yet to figure out what it is.

12. What makes your character laugh out loud? What makes them angry?

Libby always makes Savanna laugh, no matter what kind of mood she’s in. The two just get each other. Her parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings make her laugh too...just not like Libby.

When she’s told she’s ”too young.” She always wants to do what the older kids are doing, but she often hears that she can’t because she’s too young or too small.

13. Has your character ever been in love? Have they ever had a broken heart?

She has not been in love yet, but she does have a crush on Junior. He gives her comic books and has been teaching her about the superhero universe. He also shares his arcade tokens with her.

14. Does your character have any flaws? What are they?

Everybody has flaws. Savanna's is that she trusts too easily and she doesn't always have filter. She can be brutally honest at times which can get her in trouble. Especially at school. Trusting too easily often leaves her open to heartbreak.

15. What is in your character's refrigerator right now? On their bedroom floor? On their nightstand?

Refrigerator: milk, juice, eggs, yogurt, veggies, fruit, lunch meat, cheese, spring mix, leftovers, half & half, and water. Victoria likes to keep the house stocked with healthy snacks for her kids and various lunch meat to make the kids school lunches.

Bedroom floor: slippers, coloring supplies, books, and dirty clothes that didn’t quite make it to the hamper. Usually Savanna’s floor is clean. She and Timmy get paid a weekly allowance to keep their rooms clean and their beds made. They also help with other household chores.

Nightstand: a book, tissues, a glass of water, and a butterfly night light.

16. Your character is walking home in the dark when they hear some noises around the corner. What do they do? How would they react if they heard someone crying out for help?

Savanna is afraid of the dark, but it’s not because she gets the sense that she’s alone. She’s afraid of the dark because she’s worried that she’s not alone. Anything could be lurking in the shadows.

If she heard a noise walking home, her immediate reaction would be to run and hide.

If Savanna heard someone crying for help, she would do whatever she could to get them help. She’s seven, so there’s not much she could do to carry out a rescue mission on her own. She definitely wouldn't leave someone in a life threatening situation. It's not in her nature.

17. When your character thinks of their childhood kitchen, what smell do they associate with it? Sauerkraut? Oatmeal cookies? Paint? Why is that smell so resonant?

She still is a child and it isn’t uncommon for their kitchen to smell like fresh baked cookies or Victoria’s delicious homemade dinners. Whenever Savanna comes home from school there’s a snack on the table for her and Timothy with the scent of fresh basil or herbs from their garden lingering in the air. Usually the aroma is from dinner on the stove or in the oven. It’s enough to make her mouth water.

18. Your character is doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for them to throw out? What is difficult for them to part with? Why?

Clothes and old toys are easy for Savanna to part with. There are only a few pieces she insists on keeping because of sentimental value.

Pictures and old art work are difficult for her to get rid of. Each piece is tied to a memory she doesn’t want to forget. She gets this from her parents. Victoria and Declan also have a tough time throwing away the artwork their children give to them. Both of them still have some of the scribble drawings Savvy made when she was a toddlers. They're safely tucked away in a box in Vic's studio.

19. It is Saturday at noon. What is your character doing? Give details. If they’re eating breakfast, what exactly do they eat? If they’re stretching out in the backyard to sun, what kind of blanket or towel do they lie on?

When the weather cooperates, she and Timmy like to take their lunch outside. Victoria will spread out a camping blanket, pack lunches in their school lunch boxes, and the three {four if Declan isn't at DRMC} of them will have a picnic outside.

When the weather is poor, they move their picnics to the hayloft (that’s where the kids like to play) or their living room floor. It's Savvy's favorite thing to do on the weekend.

20. While driving down the road, your character hits a dog and swerves off the road into a tree. Do they get out to see to the car first, or the animal?

Savanna loves all animals, but dogs especially.  While crying hysterically, and without hesitation, she would check on the dog before worrying about her car.  She would do everything in her power to make sure the animal was okay because cars could be replaced... Pets can't be.

21. Your character is in a relationship and they come home to find their partner in bed with another person. How do they react? How do they feel?

She would walk out to give herself time to process things. She would probably end up at Victoria's house. Savvy is very close with her mom and tells her almost everything. She would want her mom's opinion on the matter.

Savanna would feel betrayed, but she’s a reasonable person so she’d definitely give her significant other a chance to explain before kicking them to the curb. Trust is earned, and once it’s lost...it’s very hard to get back.

22. What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?

The most powerful memory was Declan being released from prison. It flipped her world upside down, but in a good way. She got her father back. She and Timmy no longer had to wait for visitation day to spend time with him. They had a lot of lost time to make up for now that he was home.

23. Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where are they going? What do they wear? Who will they be with?

A night out for a seven year old usually consists of a trip to the arcade or the roller rink.

Savanna loves sparkles so she would likely put on a sparkly dress or skirt. Accessories are a must. She never leaves the house without a necklace or two, bracelets, rings, and a purse to complete her outfit.

She isn’t old enough to hang out with her friends without supervision, so Victoria is usually there. Declan has been spending more time with the family so he tags along a lot of the time which she loves. When Savvy is lucky...her big brothers and big sister are there too.

24. Your character gets into a discussion about death and dying. How would they describe the perfect death? Do they believe in life after? Are they afraid of death?

Savanna is still young, so she’s not that familiar with the dying process. She knows there is a Heaven and a Hell.

If she had to describe her perfect death it would be peacefully, in her sleep, when she is very old.

Savvy isn’t really afraid of dying, but she is terrified to lose a loved one. The only deaths she has experienced are with the animals she’s tried to rescue. She has never lost a family member...at least not that she can remember.

25. A friend of your character calls, they want to hang out. What do they do? If they stay home, what will your character suggest they do? If they go out, where will they go?

Savvy doesn’t have many friends, but she does hang out with her cousin Libby pretty often. If someone called to hang out, it would most likely be Liberty Deschaine. The girls love going to the roller rink and the arcade, but Vic always comes up with fun activities for them when Libby comes over to play instead.

Both children love making forts and they’ve gotten really good at it. Sometimes, if Timmy is lucky, they’ll let him come play with them too.

[drywatermelon]

I paced in the kitchen of our apartment. Alex and I had bought it a year ago - after having our eyes on it for a good three months - when my store started gaining popularity and we could finally afford it. My feet beat a steady, nervous pattern into the floor. For a couple weeks, Alex had been leaving home later and coming back earlier. I didn't think too much of it - it did give me more time to spend with my boyfriend of three years now - but I nevertheless made a mental note to ask him about it if it came up. It never did, and I wasn't worried...until his best friend, Zack, told me he quit boxing. We didn't necessarily need the income from his boxing since my store was doing so well now that I didn't need to be there every second of every day anymore, but boxing was his passion. Of course I was aware of all the dangers that came with boxing, but he was good at it and it made him happy meaning that I was happy for him. So one can imagine how destroying it was to hear Zack say that Alex had mentioned something about quitting because of me.

Hearing the front door being unlocked, my footsteps stopped cold and I gently padded into the living room were I saw Alex taking off his shoes and coat. He looked up and saw me. "Hey, baby! How was your day? How's the store doing?" He asked in his usual cheerful mood. It befuddled me a little how he was still happy after quitting the one thing that made him so. Alex walked over to me, probably aiming to envelop me in a hug and kiss me, as was our routine. I held up my hand and stopped him in his tracks. His eyes, the same beautiful amber ones that made my knees weak back in college where we first laid eyes on one another, immediately flooded with worry. "Caleb, baby, what's wrong?" The way he looked at and talked to me reminded me why I fell in love and am still so much in love with him. I bit back tears at the realization that maybe he didn't feel the same about me.

"You quit boxing," It was a statement, but he answered anyway.

"Yes." He blew a breath out of his nose and ran a hand through his dark auburn hair, knowing full well that I wasn't one for beating around the bush. His gaze lowered from mine. "Yes I did."

"Because of me?" My voice was softer now since I was afraid it would break if I talked any louder. He nodded and I felt the lump in my stomach grow heavier. "Why?" I managed to whisper shakily. "Do you...Do you not…" I gulped - getting this out would hurt, but I knew it would kill me if I didn't. "Do you not love me anymore?" I finally asked tears pooling in my eyes.

"Of course I love you, Caleb!" Alex took a step forward, but I took one back, maintaining the distance between us. I watched as hurt dance on his face and looked to the side when it became too much.

"Then why did you quit?" My voice turned cold. I couldn't give into the sadness right now or I would be like that for days.

"Because I was weak." His answer made me guffaw.

"Weak?!" My voice became a little louder as I opted for anger instead of sadness. I snapped my head back toward him and met his eyes. "Weak my ass! You train everyday! You're built like a brick wall, so don't go telling me you're weak, Alex!"

"I'm only weak because of you!" He yelled and I vaguely registered that I had been yelling too.

"So you're finally admitting that I'm a bad thing in your life!? That I've been eating away your happiness so much that you quit the only thing you love!?" Tears had started to leak out of my eyes, but I didn't pay them any mind.

"No! Goddammit, Caleb! You're the best thing that ever happened to me! I love you more than life itself!" He was leaking tears too.

"Then how did I make you weak?!" I was determined to get him to say that he hated me and that I should just leave because his life would be better without me. I knew it would probably destroy me, but it would make him happier and that's all that really mattered to me anymore: him living out a happy life even if it was with some other man and not me.

"You made me weak because you gave me something to lose!" That shut me up in a stunned silence. He calmed his voice but it still held the same tone as if he was screaming. "When I started boxing in high school, I was still in a foster home with fifteen other kids. I was mad at my parents for leaving me, I was mad that my grades were slipping, I was mad at the world, I was mad at myself. I was just a lonely teenager who needed something to fill the void in his heart and have something that kept his mind off suicide. So I took up boxing." His tone and eyes softened even more as he gazed at me. "I got into it and it helped me a lot. It was sort of therapeutic. I had a lot of pent up anger and now I had a healthy way of releasing it. I won most every fight because I fought ruthlessly, without a care for my own well-being. My whole life turned around, I was happier and my grades were looking much better. Even though I had a sure future in boxing, my coach insisted that I go to college. I didn't want to at first, but I'm so glad I did. Because I met you.

"I looked forward to every second I got to spend with you. I would steal glances at you across the lecture hall, I would try to get the teacher to partner us up. Hell, I even followed you to your dorm once, spent 15 minutes making up my mind to knock on the door and talk to you, then heard you going to open the door and sprinted out of there as fast as my legs would carry me." I smiled slightly at that and so did Alex.

"When I saw you with that Kyle guy… well, it sent me over the moon that you were into guys, but it almost destroyed me that you belonged to someone else. I took it out in boxing like I usually did with my emotions. I longed so bad for you that I beat a guy half to death - I broke three of his ribs, gave him two black eyes, made sure he couldn't have children and gave him a small concussion at best. Five people had to pull me off the poor guy before I killed him." I widen my eyes at the new information, but he continued, "Then, I saw you with puffy red eyes in one of our classes. Without thinking, I let my first words to you slip out of my mouth and asked what was wrong. You, in turn, responded with your first words to me, -"

"'Fuck off,'" I filled in for him, sucking on my lips to keep any laughter from escaping. He smiled a little wider.

"Yes, but my persistent ass had to keep prodding and I finally got it out of you that you had broken up with Kyle. I felt like I should have been happy, but seeing you so distraught made me wanna meet Kyle in a dark alley, teach him a lesson and make him get back together with you to make you happy. We started hanging out more and I finally grew the balls to ask you out. When you said 'yes,' I was about ready to explode and melt at the same time. And don't even get me started on our first kiss - to say that my world was turned upside down and ravaged by a cosmic storm would've been a massive understatement. You had me wrapped around your finger and you didn't even know it. After about a year of us dating, we said our first 'I love you's and that was about the happiest I had been in my life up to that point. I managed to get you a ticket to one of my matches. I fought the match as usual, with reckless abandon and without a second thought about my own life, smiling like the idiot I was - and still am - while I took multiple pinches from the guy. When they called a pause, I snuck a look at you to find you looking at me worriedly and biting your lips and I remembered what you said when we first confessed our love, -"

"'I don't know how I did it before, but now that I've met you, I couldn't live in a world you aren't part of.'" I, again, filled in my line. He nodded somberly.

"I realized then that if I were to get killed, it would destroy you. I couldn't do that to you. That match was the first fight I'd lost in five years. Five years, Caleb. And you were my undoing. Before you, I was the most dangerous thing in a fight: a man with nothing left to live for. But then you came into my life and suddenly filled the void in my heart better than boxing had ever done. You became my passion, my bringer of happiness,...my love. I started losing more and more matches, but it didn't matter because I had you. So yes, I became weak because of you. You made me weak because you gave me something to lose, something to live for, something to care about…. You came into my life and gave me someone to love." We stared at each other, teary-eyed.

"Oh, Alex…" I whispered, exasperated with myself at being so stupid and not trusting him like I should have. I threw myself around him in a hug. He was stunned for all of three seconds, then he released a relieved breath and squeezed me to the point it hurt a little, but I couldn't care less. It was him hugging me, he was here and he loved me and he was mine and he loved me and he didn't want to leave me and he loved me. He loved me, he loved me, he loved me - and I loved him, with all my being, I loved him so much it would tear me apart at times, but he was always here to fix me up because we loved each other. We stood there for a little while, slowly and slightly swaying, both silently shedding tears of happiness because we couldn't believe we could've almost lost each other. I couldn't speak for him, but from his little speech I was assured he felt the same - a life without the other could not honestly be called a life. I gently pulled as far away as he would let me, which was only far enough for me to get a good look at his face, but I didn't mind in the least. I cupped his face, looking deep into his amber eyes, and caressing his cheeks with my thumbs. "Don't ever scare me like that again, babe." We rested our foreheads together, both smiling. I pressed my lips to his in a soft and tender kiss. Alex's arms tightened around me.

"I love you, Caleb." He mumbled against my lips.

I smiled wider and gave him another quick kiss. "And I love you, Alex…so so much…"